Worcester barber goes to Turkey to help earthquake survivors

Ismall Yudiz, who owns 1st Class Turkish Barbers in Crowngate, is travelling to rescue his family who have been badly affected by the earthquakes in Turkey on Monday.

His mum is sleeping in the back of a small van with ten other people and his family are forced to huddle around a tiny campfire to fend off sub-freezing temperatures.

READ MORE: Turkish café owner's anguish over missing friend caught up in earthquake

The death toll from the 7.8 magnitude quake has passed 21,000 – reducing thousands of homes and buildings across the south of Turkey and northern Syria to rubble as people slept.

Mr Yudiz said: "My mum said to me don't come here, we will die and we don't want you to die as well.

"But to me, that doesn't matter, loads of people are waiting for help and if I can move one stone or save one life it would be worth it.

"If your parents are not living, that's when a part of you dies.

"If I die when I am over there, then it is for a good cause.

"I just want to help and when I get over there straight away I will be setting up a tent for my mum and sister so they are safe."

Ismall Yudiz's family trying to keep warm in sub-zero temperatures. (Image: Ismall Yudiz)

Mr Yudiz said the first two days after the earthquake was the worst because his family had no food or water.

The people with his family are in a shelter with no sides so keeping them dry from the rain is becoming impossible.

He added: "My mum called me at 4am a few times and she told me what had happened.

"You could hear from her voice she was scared and was with the family.

"The only safe place is outside.

"There are no words to explain what it is like.

"Our eyes get watery and we are here, but they are over there."

On Monday, Mr Yudiz will be flying out to Istanbul, where he will buy a van, a number of tents, blankets and long-life food and will drive over to Turkey. 

From his barber's shop, he is currently collecting money to help fund the items he will be buying in Turkey. 

While in the country and when he knows his family is safe, he plans to drive to villages where there has not been much support and give them vital survival equipment and medical care.

How can I help people affected by the Turkey and Syria earthquake?

Currently, both 1st Class Turkish Barbers in Crowngate and Elgars Coffee Shop in Reindeers Court have been collecting money to help buy clothes and blankets for families.

1st Class Turkish Barbers is also taking any clothes or blanket donations.