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Kirklees residents are being given the chance to buy tickets for a prestigious charity event on September 26 in aid of the Pakistani Flood Appeal.

It will feature a formal dinner with musical entertainment and is being held at Huddersfield Town Hall.

In attendance will be Leader of Kirklees Council, Cllr Mehboob Khan; Professor Bob Cryan of the University of Huddersfield; Ken Davey and the Huddersfield Giants.

The event is being organised by United Huddersfield which is a partnership between Huddersfield Pakistani Community Alliance and Radio Paigham.

Ken Davey of the Huddersfield Giants, said: "It is impossible for anyone not to be moved by the terrible disaster which has unfolded in Pakistan as the monsoon floods have engulfed community after community and region after region.  The remorseless power of nature has wreaked havoc on a people for whom every day life, even in good times, is never easy.  My heart and the hearts of everyone at the Huddersfield Giants go out to all who are suffering from this catastrophe and to so many in our local community who have loved ones, families and friends caught up in this dreadful tragedy.  I would urge everyone to do whatever they can to support the relief efforts."

Professor Cryan, of Huddersfield University, said: "Our initial surge of shock and sympathy at the scale of the disaster in Pakistan was quickly replaced by a need for determined action to ease the suffering and to help victims rebuild their shattered lives. The ambitious appeal launched in Kirklees has the full support of the University of Huddersfield, not only for reasons of common humanity but because this district and its people have so many close connections with Pakistan. The same applies to our University. As a truly multi-cultural institution we cannot fail to feel the need for active engagement in efforts to alleviate hardship in a part of the world where many of our students and staff have family connections. We hope that that the appeal rapidly achieves its target."

And support for the charity fundraising has come from West Yorkshire Police.  Chief Superintendent John Robins, Divisional Commander of Kirklees Police said: "Our hearts go out to all the people affected by the terrible and ongoing disaster in Pakistan.

Any country, any community, any family, no matter where they live in the world, will take years and decades to recover from such trauma and devastation.

It is our basic compassion for humanity that gives the reason why the communities and people of Kirklees should come together to financially support the people of Pakistan.

I urge all residents of Kirklees to support the local events over the coming weeks to raise money for the people affected in Pakistan."

Kirklees Chief Executive Adrian Lythgo will be attending the dinner and he said: The council is supporting the local community in their endeavours to help those in dire need in Pakistan and we are happy to be supporting this event. "

Leader of the Council, Cllr Mehboob Khan, added his voice to the fundraisers: "This will not only be a prestigious event to be enjoyed by all who attend, but it has a serious purpose in bringing everyone together to focus efforts to help people displaced by these disastrous floods.  He said: "The Pakistani community in Huddersfield have set themselves a fundraising target of £50,000 but this is already nearly halfway there with the proceeds of a charity cricket match held in August which raised £21,000.

"Many groups are organising other events across the district and we are pleased to support these admirable efforts within the community to assist those suffering in Pakistan."

To buy tickets (£25 per head) or to make a donation, please email floodappeal@hpca.org.uk or telephone 01484 544877.

Guests attending the event should arrive at 6pm for a 6.30pm start and dress is formal.

Other fundraising efforts for the Pakistan Flood Appeal are also being supported by councils in Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield and Calderdale.