Kind Luton residents have pulled out the stops to raise cash to help victims of the devastating Haiti earthquake.

The appeal organised by Bury Park businessman Mohammed Nadeem has raised nearly £7,500 for those affected by the disaster, showing that despite the recession, people in Luton are still thinking of others worse off than themselves.

A fun day at the Nadeem Plaza last Saturday raised more than £4,300, and the Islamic Cultural Society at the Luton Central Mosque in Westbourne Road handed over a cheque for more than £2,000.

Donations placed in collection buckets placed in businesses around the town by Mr Nadeem have raised more than £1,000, and readers have also been telephoning the Luton Today offices to donate, and sending in cheques.

The entrepreneur said: "I am really pleased with how people have responded. People in Luton have got big hearts, and a lot of people have been giving again and again.

"The Muslim community has opened their hearts as well, regardless of the fact it is not a Muslim country that they are helping.

"It just shows how the community as a whole has pulled together.

"People across the town, at schools, clubs and colleges, have been doing a lot of fundraising as well.

"We are now looking forward to seeing how the money helps people in Haiti."

Mr Nadeem and his brother Naveed Nazir have given £750 of their own money to the appeal, and further generous donations of £500 have come from both Siasa Telecoms and Haji & Sons greengrocers.