Bradford businesses have begun digging deep to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds to help the victims of the devastating earthquake in south Asia.

Yesterday the Telegraph & Argus launched its district-wide appeal to bring desperately-needed aid to the communities hit by Saturday's disaster.

And many firms have already signed up to pledge cash and support to the T&A appeal alongside other fundraising drives launched in the city.

Gordon Cox, who owns Cash Converters in Bradford, has pledged a share of his company profits.

He said: "We want to demonstrate our support to Bradford's South Asian community by helping to raise money for the people affected by the earthquake.

"We will be donating five per cent of all profits for ten days to the T&A appeal and are confident we will raise a lot of money."

He said they would also be holding a raffle to raise money.

Omar Khan who owns Omar Khan's restaurant in Bradford said he would support the T&A's appeal in any way he could.

"I think it's wonderful that the T&A is raising money for the victims of the earthquake," said Mr Khan. "Every business in Bradford has a duty to support this appeal."

Mumtaz Restaurant, in Great Horton Road, has already sent £250,000 worth of aid to Pakistan in cash and goods.

The directors of the company have urged all Bradford's businesses to follow their lead. Zaf Shah, a Bradford athlete who is sponsored by the restaurant, said the family was doing everything in its power to aid the victims of the earthquake.

"They have sent lorries full of supplies from Mirpur in Pakistan including food, blankets, medicine and water," said Mr Shah.

"They have also sent money and provided buses to transport people out of the disaster zone."

Arshad Javed, executive director of Asian Trades Link, a business organisation, said: "Business communities in Bradford are all coming together to raise money for this very worthy cause," he said.

Mr Javed said various businesses had already raised in excess of £50,000 and they aim to raise £1 million.

"We are in the middle of organising a fundraising dinner at the Hilton Hotel this Sunday at 4pm to kick start the appeal."

Shipley-based restaurant chain The Aagrah restaurant has raised £32,000 so far.

The money has been donated by the staff and directors.

A spokesman for the group said they had also put collection boxes in all ten of the restaurants to collect contributions from customers.

"Our efforts are ongoing and we are in the process of organising more fundraising initiatives," said the spokesman.

The Pakistan Consulate Women's Group has organised a fundraising dinner for women only.

The charity Istar dinner will be held at Sahibs restaurant in Manchester Road on Saturday, October 22 from 2.30pm.

Mrs Sabir Khan, a member of the group, said: "All the proceeds will go to the disaster. We hope to raise thousands of pounds from the dinner."

Tickets cost £10 and are available by calling Naheed Ayaz on (01274) 222350 or Rashda Choudry on (01274) 543978.

Pakeezah Group of Bradford, and Totem Communications have set up a premium rate number to people donate money.

The line will be charged at £1.50 a minute with £1.04 going to the charity and the rest going towards costs.

Calls will be from one minute to 20 minutes long and listeners will be able to listen to the latest news or verses from the Quran.

To give to the line call 0906 343 0143.

Individuals have also been moved to donate cash. Firefighter Duncan Pickles, 45, visited the Islamic Relief shop in Carlisle Road to give money after seeing pictures of the disaster area on television.

"I feel for all the people who have been affected both in Pakistan and their relatives in England," said Mr Pickles of Denholme.

"I wanted to give a donation to do what I can to help."

The Bradford mother who lost 30 family members in the Pakistani earthquake disaster has urged Bradford's communities and businesses to donate to the disaster.

Shaheen Akhtar, 25, of Thornbury, is also raising money to send to her uncle's hospital in Pakistan.

The hospital which normally treats children with cancer has been inundated with people injured by the earthquake.

"There are queues of injured people lining up for treatment," said Miss Akhtar.

"It's the only hospital in the area and they are struggling to help people because they don't have any supplies or medicine."

Miss Akhtar said she spoke to her uncle yesterday.

"He said there were a huge number of people who needed help. No other medical centre is available in the area," she said.

"He told me people are dying outside the hospital because he can't treat them."

Anyone who wants to donate money to the Kids Blood Disease Organisation (KBDO) hospital in Mansehra can do so via the website: www.kbdo.org