THE Lancashire Evening Telegraph-backed campaign to help survivors of the Indian earthquake today broke the £13,000 barrier and civic leaders have urged for people to keep up the good work.

Communities right through Blackburn and Darwen are holding a variety of events to help the stricken state of Gujarat in Western India. It is estimated that 99 per cent of the Indian population in Blackburn has its origins in the state, mainly hailing from the three towns of Valsad, Surat and Bharouch.

The Earthquake Disaster Appeal has topped the £13,000 mark and Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw said he hopes the cash keeps pouring in.

Mr Straw has donated a personal cheque for an undisclosed sum to Lord Adam Patel of Blackburn, one of the men behind the appeal.

Mr Straw said: "This is a tragedy of massive proportions. I know the area from previous visits, my most recent, as Home Secretary, was in September when part of the trip took us to Ahmadabad.

"I've written to the Indian Authorities, including the Chief Minister Patel, who I met in the summer, to express my sorrow at this disaster and terrible loss of life.

"I would encourage people to support the Lancashire Evening Telegraph Appeal in any way they feel able."

Blackburn with Darwen's Mayor, Coun Jack Bury, also backed the campaign.

He said: "It is a good appeal and is for the right purposes, to help those in need. I would urge people to do all they can to give practical support for the people of Gujarat."

More than 30,000 people were killed when the earthquake, which measured 7.7 on the Richter scale hit in January. The epicentre was Bhuj but towns and villages for hundreds of miles felt the affects as buildings toppled claiming lives and leaving thousands homeless.

The weekend will see a series of events take place to help raise cash to send to India.

Audley Community Centre, in Chester Street, is holding an all-day fun-day including tombolas, raffles, and entertainers. A 5-a-side football tournament is planned with every penny going to Gujarat.

Anjuna Anwar, community development officer at the council-run centre, said: "There will be things for the children as well as parents and we are hoping to raise as much as we can. The whole community has pulled together through this and this is a way of all getting together."

Bank Top Community Centre, in Oakenhurst Road, is already running an appeal for people to drop off unwanted clothing -- especially children's and baby's -- to send to the survivors and Sukhi's Indian Cuisine, in Blackburn Road, Darwen is having a charity night on Monday.

If you would like to contribute to the Earthquake Disaster Appeal, you can send donations directly to an appeal account at the NatWest Bank.

The sort code is 01 00 85, account number 14 01 05 93.