A PAIR of kind-hearted best friends have sold all their favourite toys to raise money for victims of the tragic earthquake in Turkey.
Feeling implored to help, empathetic Oscar Neill, seven, and best pal Jacob Ackerman, eight, who live in West Mersea, made the tough call to part with their beloved toys after seeing the disaster unfold on TV.
The 7.8-magnitude earthquake which struck on February 6 has killed more than 44,000 people in south-eastern Turkey and northern Syria.
The death toll is expected to climb, with about 345,000 apartments in Turkey known to have been destroyed and many people still missing.
Oscar and Jacob, who grew up playing rugby together, raised £400 for the disaster fund at their five-and-a-half hour yard sale during the half term holiday.
Oscar’s mum, Kirsty, said she is “so proud” of the boys’ efforts.
Read more: 'Please help our sister' - cash plea for Colchester family left homeless by blaze
“They spent ages making signs to put up and were really ruthless with their toys. There were things they wanted to keep but decided the money was better elsewhere,” said Kirsty.
“Every time someone walked past they were trying to get them to come over and purchase something.”
She added: “They were both really chuffed at what they had achieved and were really pleased afterwards.
“Oscar and Jacob are best friends, proper cheeky little boys who are very alike, very empathetic and caring.
“It never ceases to amaze me how thoughtful and kind they are.”
Kirsty explained the family are set to holiday in Turkey during the summer and this only heightened the passion for wanting to help.
“I have felt helpless seeing what they’re going through. These people are losing everything,” she said.
“If that was me I don’t think I’d handle it as well as a lot of them have.”
Efforts across wider Colchester are continuing in a determined bid to support those affected.
The city’s Turkish community is looking to send as many blankets and supplies as possible to the region to help those who have been made homeless, as temperatures drop well below freezing at night.
Donations can be made from 1pm until 4pm at 25, Barrack Street, Colchester.
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