Musa Ismail and Sher Alam have visited many regions struck by disasters in their lives but nothing prepared them for the destruction they saw in Kashmir.

They helped raise £30,000 within weeks of the disaster and visited the disaster zone in November.

Whilst there they lived in a tent for almost a month, alongside families who had lost their homes and relatives in the disaster.

Both watched as children were taught in the outdoors after their school in the Neelam Valley was destroyed.

The fund-raisers recalled the despair of seeing up to five families living in one tent, with some men forced to sleep outside in the cold.

They helped people to build shelter with the cash raised through donations at Ghosia Mosque, Preston New Road and the Raza Mosque based on Balaclava Street in Blackburn.

He said: We did all we could. We bought materials and tools and helped local people build new shelters.

They have been left with nothing.

It was an awful sight. Hopefully we have made a small difference.

There just arent enough tents to go around. Not many relief workers have gone to the Neelam Valley, and they were grateful to see us. Open sewers run through the camps and a serious diarrhoea epidemic has started to break out in lots of areas.

The people were all worried that winter was well and truly on its way. We lived in our car sometimes because we wanted to get to everyone.

We mainly used corrugated iron, which is hard-wearing. We even put that over some of the tents for added protection.

But we need to help more, he added.

Of the money they raised £5,000 was donated to the Al-Hasan Foundation based in Dhadyal which will help 20 children for the rest of their lives.

The mission was Mr Ismails and Sher Alams 13th mercy trip after visiting war-torn Bosnia 12 times.

Mr Ismail wished to thank Ismail Lorgat and volunteers for collecting hospital equipment which was put to use in one of the hospitals in Kashmir.