Politicians back efforts to raise funds for flood relief

Two of Edinburgh's female parliamentarians are backing an event organised by Edinburgh Women United to raise funds for flood victims in Pakistan.

Edinburgh East MP Sheila Gilmore and Edinburgh Central MSP Sarah Boyack are backing the evening of entertainment at Portobello Town Hall from 7pm tomorrow.

Glasgow ex-MP Mohammed Sarwar will be the key speaker.

Floods hit Pakistan in July last year, following heavy monsoon rains, devastating the country, with an estimated 20 million affected by the natural disaster. The Pakistani Government is to begin reducing its support in affected regions at the end of this month.

Ms Gilmore said: "Across Edinburgh, women will come together to raise much-needed funds for the Pakistan flood response. Families have told me how friends and relatives have been affected when homes, schools and livelihoods were simply washed away."