A Hitchin restaurant owner from Turkey has issued a moving plea for aid after many of his friends were killed and his hometown left in ruins, following the 7.8 Richter scale earthquake that brought devastation to the region last week.

Dekora restaurant owner Mehmet is asking for help to purchase supplies for the stricken area following the quake that killed tens of thousands of people and left many more homeless.

Thankfully the popular Sun Street restaurant owner's family survived the tragedy - but sadly, around 20 of his school friends were killed.

Big-hearted Mehmet is trying to raise aid in a bid to ease the plight of those whose lives have been scarred by this deadly natural event.

Read on for what Mehmet says:

My name is Mehmet, and I am from Turkey and have lived in the UK since 2009 and now call Hitchin my home. I run the popular Dekora Restaurant in the heart of Hitchin town.

Recently, I was awoken by the devastating news of a powerful earthquake that hit my hometown of Pazarcik in Turkey.

After a frantic search for information about my loved ones, I was thankfully able after some time to confirm that they were safe but the town was in ruins.

The earthquake has caused immense damage to Pazarcik, leaving around 80 per cent of the town in shambles, and many residents without a home.

Sadly, I have learned that around 20 of my school friends have not survived.

The government and international organisations have focused their relief efforts on larger cities, leaving small towns like Pazarcik struggling to find help.

As someone who cares deeply about my hometown and its residents, I want to do everything I can to provide support and relief in these trying times.

With the help of close friends, I have already sent a lorryload of essential supplies to Pazarcik, but much more is needed to help the people of my hometown survive the aftermath of the disaster.

With your generosity and support, we can provide critical supplies such as hygiene kits, food kits, baby kits, warming clothing, and even tents for temporary shelter.

I have included a list of the items we plan to purchase, along with the estimated cost for each item, and I will ensure full transparency by uploading all invoices for the purchases made.

Here's a list of what we will be buying and the approx costs:

£10 Hygiene kits - assorted sanitary and hygiene products

£10 25kg wood bags

£15 25kg coal bags

£25 Food kit - 1kg sugar, 1kg red lentils, 1kg bulgar wheat, 1kg rice, 750 salt, 830g tomato paste, 500g tea, 1ltr veg oil, 400g black olives, 500g pasta, 12x 80g ready soups, 1kg wheat flour

£50 Baby kit - nappies, wipes, baby formula, baby blankets, milk bottles

£75 warming clothing kits - 1x blankets, 1 jacket, 1x full thermals, 1x shoes, 5 x pairs socks

£200 16 sq metre tent - fits around 10 people

Supplies will be from Bursa (Western Turkey) and delivered to my hometown of Pazarcik.

I will upload invoices for all purchases.

Also, all fundraising events around the town will be put through here for maximum transparency.

I am reaching out to you, asking for your support in raising funds to provide more essential supplies to the people of Pazarcik.

Every little bit helps, and your donation will make a huge difference in the lives of those who have lost everything.

Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.

Sincerely,

Mehmet