"It's just an absolute tragedy" an Isle of Wight mother, who has been aiding rescue efforts after a deadly earthquake in Turkey, has told the Isle of Wight County Press.
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Nikki Collinson-Phenix, from Godshill, has been in the country since Novemeber as part of a caravanning trip across Europe with her husband Ian, and two children Laanii, 11, and Raif, 5.
The family were staying just outside the impact zone in Fethiye, when the 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the southeastern part of the country early Monday.
The tragedy has so far left more than 4,300 people dead across both Turkey and Syria.
Upon hearing the devastating news, Nikki and the family, who themselves experienced a 5.9 magnitude earthquake just two weeks before, stopped what they were doing and decided to take action.
She said: "I just couldn't concentrate. I knew I had to do something.
"We got the family in the car, we went searching for the aid centres and just pitched up and said we're here what do you need."
After volunteering at the nearby centre, Nikki used her experience working in the charity sector and set up a fundraiser via PayPal.
How to donate to the Turkey earthquake disaster fund
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Donations have since flooded in, many from Islanders, meaning essential equipment such as jackhammers and bolt cutters could be bought. They're being used by rescuers searching the rubble for survivors.
Nikki, who was a well-known chiropractor on the Island, said, sadly, she expects search efforts to continue for a long time yet.
"It's just an absolute tragedy", she told the County Press.
"The country is such an incredibly welcoming country. When this hit, your heart just broke.
"It broke around the world but for us being right here, it's been absolutely heartbreaking.
"People have been coming in to the aid centres, bringing in whatever they can. Whether it's just canned items or a blanket. This is all hands on deck."
Nikki said she is regularly updating her Facebook page so that people donating can see exactly where the money is going.
"It's just doing whatever you can really", she said.
"Even if it's just small donations it can go a long way and make a real difference."
Nikki and her family are expecting to leave Turkey next week. Before heading home, they're planning to head towards Albania.
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