WHEN the Kashmir earthquake struck last October, it wasn't long before the people of Worcestershire started to put their hands in their pockets to help out.

Touched by the heart-rending tales of destroyed villages and broken lives, groups, individuals and organisations rallied round and sent thousands of pounds worth of aid to northern Pakistan.

Few in Worcester worked harder to raise money than former city Mayor, Councillor Allah Ditta.

Coun Ditta, whose own family was touched by the disaster, has led by example, organising numerous fund-raising schemes to help those most in need.

His latest efforts, however, have been hit by a malicious attack, that has left the former mayor fuming.

Whoever it was that called those people due to attend a charity dinner organised by Coun Ditta and told them the event was cancelled due to a family tragedy have done nothing more than strengthen his resolve to work harder at raising money to help those in need.

The councillor claims that he was targeted by a fellow Muslim because he is considered a moderate.

If true, how sad it is that such divisions will have cost the folk that desperately need the money hundreds of pounds in lost donations.

The only people that have really lost out are, of course, the long-suffering villagers of Kashmir.

Let's hope whoever did this can sleep easy with that on their conscience.