Local Turkish and Syrian families have paid an emotional thank you to Rutherglen and Cambuslang residents for their "amazing support" after the devastating earthquake in their homeland.
Close to 50,000 lives have been lost as a result of the tragedy earlier this month, which saw cities reduced to rubble after a 7.8 level earthquake.
The Nurture Society, based on Glasgow Road in Cambuslang, quickly organised an appeal to help those affected, and last week donations from scores of locals were sent abroad.
The centre then held a fundraising bake sale on Sunday, the proceeds of which will go towards disaster relief efforts.
The society's Asiye Betul, who has family in the Adiyaman area, told Lanarkshire Live of her horror at the news , and of the importance to keep providing support to the region.
She said: "Everyone I know has lost someone they know as a result of the earthquake. I woke up to the news and the first thought was obviously to call my family, and thankfully they were OK. The city I was born in is now destroyed.
"We've just tried to give emotional support and help to those that have lost someone.
"Having the Cambuslang people show their support was amazing. It has been a very sad event but that has been the only positive, the way people have come together and helped out, and immediately asking us what we were needing.
"Sunday was a success, people could see the bread kneaded in front of their eyes, which they enjoyed. We had people of all nationalities who shared the pain of the disaster with us, but it wasn't just about earning money, it was about everyone joining together."
Local groups such as Cambuslang Rotary also chipped in with cash donations, while a number of local people have offered individual help too.
Gillian Uzuntok's husband Halil has family still living in Turkey.
Gillian, who lives in Rutherglen, said: "It wasn't until the day after the earthquake that we started hearing from some family members because the internet is so up and down there at the moment.
"I can't even describe the feelings when we heard they were OK, there was joy, tears and just relief. After that it was just a natural reaction to see about collecting items to send over there, and a lot of my friends were asking what they could do.
"They have very cold winters there and they'll need money to buy supplies and to secure accommodation. I don't think people realise how big Turkey is, it's hit so many people."
Rutherglen MP Margaret Ferrier was among those who helped out, joining Asiye to visit supermarkets and collect items.
She said: "The earthquakes in Turkey and Syria have been devastating, and I am deeply saddened to see so many thousands of lives lost.
"I know that many in our community have been struggling to reach loved ones on the ground, and my thoughts are with them at this difficult time.
“Nurture’s voluntary efforts in response have been swift and extraordinary. I was heartened to see their work in action last week, when I spent time with Asiye Betul from the centre who was working incredibly hard to coordinate the huge outpouring of support and donations from the community."
To help support those affected by the earthquake in Turkey visit the likes of the DEC appeal here or the Global Giving appeal here.
Further information on the Nurture Centre's appeals can be found via their Facebook page.
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