At long last,the UK's response to the worst-ever disaster Pakistan is suffering is gaining momentum. While people have been away holidaying,a precious three weeks have slipped through our fingers.One-fifth of Pakistan is already underwater.Unimaginable and unthinkable!Every single day counts.

In early August I had appealed, to all caring and compassionate Harrovians, to come forward and make their personal contribution.We now have a definite plan in place.Implementing it, at a cracking pace, is key.Time is of the essence.

Our Mayor,Cllr Asad Omar,has recently officially declared a very practical and achievable project for Harrow to deliver--building ten very basic brick-built homes in the KOHISTAN region. To make this a reality, we must raise £50,000, as fast as possible.The clock is ticking fast.

Fortunately,we have Harrow Central Mosque founder member,Ilyas Khan,along with professional and financial assistance from GLA member for Brent and Harrow,Navin Shah,signed up to play their part in personally supervising the building of these homes,as well as monitoring our donations.Bob Blackman,Tory MP for Harrow East has also pledged his full support.Mayor,Cllr Asad Omar is leading the way.This is an excellent start but we have to get moving fast.Time is running out for these homeless and destitute victims.

Please open your hearts and give as freely as you can.For many of our religious groups,September is a very special month for making charitable offerings.Local Muslims,Jews,Hindus and others are meeting in large numbers,often praying for World Peace and the good of their fellow man.This is your opportunity to be genuinely charitable and put into practice the teachings of the great ones.

We are already hearing about the threat of impending disease, in the flood-ravaged areas, which make up huge swathes of Pakistan.It is an ongoing nightmare,which we must all help alleviate.Every act of help counts. Don't leave it to someone else.However big or small, your donation counts and will be hugely appreciated.

These hapless victims are also in danger of dying from the ravages of the bitter cold, which will be hitting them by November. It is imperative that we all get to work,as fast as we can,to raise the sum of £50,000 by MID OCTOBER,so that construction can proceed at a pace which will ensure delivery of proper shelter, prior to the arrival of the harsh,freezing-cold, winter months.

We have a wonderfully diverse population who must pull out all the stops and make plans,in top gear, to collect funds for this very purpose.Some may wish to donate money and others to hold fund-raising events.Whatever suits you!

Our cohesiveness and feeling of brotherhood can be openly expressed by an outpouring of generosity hitherto unseen.Let us surpass ourselves and rise to the occasion, as one big family, helping those in dire need.

Cheques should be made out in favour of "the Mayor of Harrow's Pakistan Flood Appeal" and sent to the Mayor's Parlour,Harrow Civic Centre,Station Road,Harrow.Please also watch out for a web-site being set up shortly, www.harrowfloodappeal.org.uk to enable online donations.Do encourage your friends and families to join hands in this humanitarian work.

The main advantage of donating via the above means is that there will be NO ADMINISTRATION COSTS.Volunteers flying out to assist, will pay their own way.EVERY SINGLE PENNY YOU DONATE WILL BE PUT TO GOOD USE--to help these devastated,destitute, heart-broken flood victims.

My humble appeal to all Harrovians to open the flood-gates of your hearts and spontaneously donate, VERY GENEROUSLY, to help us build these ten homes, as quickly as possible, for the homeless flood victims in Pakistan.Let us leave a piece of Harrow's heart in Pakistan.

Let us prove,once more,that HARROVIANS ALWAYS DELIVER and are truly caring,warm-hearted folk.Spare a thought for the victims of this unprecedented calamity,battering Pakistan so viciously.Please count your blessings and GET DONATING!

God bless us all.