A FLORIST based in a Ryedale town has launched an appeal to raise money to help those that have been affected by the Turkey and Syria earthquake.
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck parts of Turkey and Syria on February 6 killing 41,000 people and injuring many more.
All In Bloom Floristry, in Wold Street, Norton, is selling tulips - the national flower of Turkey - to help with the relief effort.
These tulips are being sold for £9, with all profits going to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Turkey-Syria Earthquake appeal.
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Owner of All In Bloom Floristry, Leonie Allardice, has decided to help with the fundraiser.
Leonie, 21, who lives in Norton, said she first got the idea after seeing florists around the country join efforts to raise money for the on-going relief effort.
Nearly two weeks after the earthquake levelled tens of thousands of buildings and displaced millions of people in Turkey and Syria, many are still struggling to fulfil their basic needs and some are living in tents, factories, train carriages and greenhouses.
PA media reported that people driven from their homes in the disaster zone described being unable to have hot showers, while others feared freezing to death.
The government says at least 84,000 buildings, containing more than 332,000 dwellings, were either destroyed by the earthquake or too damaged to be used.
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Leonie told the Gazette & Herald: “I looked at everything happening in the news and you feel a bit useless… as a small business I wanted to try to help.”
She decided to join florists across the country in raising money to help those affected by the earthquake.
So far, Leonie said the fundraiser has been going “really well” with customers buying the tulips because they know their money will be going towards the appeal.
The florist is a studio-based florist, which offers customers the chance to pick flowers up from the studio or have them delivered.
Leonie first started the business in 2020 and said it has been successful since its launch.
“Obviously, as a 21-year-old, it’s nice to have your own small business,” she said.
Despite the success, Leonie added that on-going factors such as the increase in flower prices has been “scary”, but on the whole business is going well.
The florist is currently developing a website to go alongside the studio.
To place an order with In Bloom Floristry, contact the studio on 07964381298.
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You can keep up to date with the florist on its Facebook and Instagram pages.
To donate to the DEC’s Turkey-Syria Earthquake appeal directly, visit: www.dec.org.uk
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