A MUSLIM war veteran from High Wycombe has spoken about his journey helping deliver aid to victims of the Turkey earthquakes raising thousands of pounds.

Kayam Iqbal, who some may recognise from being a hunter on Channel 4's Hunted series, served in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Having seen the horrors in Turkey on the news, he wanted to find a way to support the families affected, which is where his campaign The OppO Foundation helped in this. 

The father-of-two said: "I contacted a few good friends and before I knew it we had raised tens of thousands of pounds. From concept to delivery of this project it took us less than 10 days.

"Myself and Steve Cottam, also a military veteran, started to work on putting the plan together. We did this in a methodical, operational way using the skills we had learnt from our time in the military.  

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"We flew from Stansted Airport to Ankara where we were met by our drivers and interpreter, where we then headed to Fix Gross Supply Warehouse to stock up with aid. We purchased baby food, women's hygiene products, thermal wear, water, nappies, tinned food etc.

"We then travelled to Iskenderun University where the distribution centre was located, however, we were asked in a very emotional plea by one of the professors if we would travel to Samendag which was the epicentre of the earthquake as they needed aid much more.

"This was a truly difficult terrain, one that we knew would not be easy, however, were determined to do and get to those people who needed are help the most."

Kayam explained what the experience was like delivering aid to the people personally.

"I needed to be able to deliver the aid directly to the people, see with our own eyes as to the impact our aid would make and now more than ever it is important to show people what impact their money makes and how it is spent," he said.

"The journey was extremely difficult but one that I am glad we delivered. On arrival, it was one of the most horrifying scenes I have ever seen (I have served in Iraq & Afghanistan).

"Unfortunately aid being delivered through the hazardous city is not easy and many supply vehicles do struggle. I do not believe there is one building left that has not been levelled to the ground, is tilting or has foundational damage - the whole city seemed to be gone and completely uninhabitable.

"Looking to my right from within the vehicle as we drove in, I saw the front of a whole block of apartments collapsed, two purple sofas and TV with a coffee table hanging out of the building. Making me think that people were just sat there, enjoying their evening when suddenly the devastating earthquake happened.

"Cars under rubble, streetlights and electricity poles crushing houses, people sat at the end of the rubble in front of their houses with their head in their hands. Their faces just lost, eyes empty - if there was such a thing as looking into people's eyes and seeing hope - this was it, hope just gone - empty eyes."

"From sadness we started to see anger and desperation. Lone children or holding hands with their siblings. Mothers, fathers, children - so many that had died. You could see clothes under rubble, kids toys, jeans - truly was a horrible site."

"When we arrived at the aid station we were welcomed with open arms. The supplies we had purchased were very much needed. People queuing for items, many wanting cleaning products as there was a lack of water and each day hygiene becomes more and more problematic."

Kayam spent time with the volunteers at the aid station, learning how one of the volunteer's sisters died in the earthquake leaving behind a two and eight-year-old.

He thanked Steve Baker MP for his support, Tim Heath, AG Group, Simon Thomas, Paul Wilcock, Michael Branson and others as "without them it would not have been possible" to deliver aid to Turkey.

Visit The OppO Foundation for more information.