As you probably know by now, central Italy was hit by a devastating earthquake at 3.30 am on Monday.
The epicentre was in the countryside just outside L'Aquila, in Abruzzo, and the shockwaves ripped through the region, down to Rome and Naples. L'Aquila itself and 26 neighbouring villages bore the brunt of the quake, which killed 281 people. Fathers and mothers saw their children die, children saw their parents buried under the rubble, and those who escaped alive heard their family and friends cry for help, but often didn't manage to get them out in time.
Powerful aftershocks, rain and sleet hampered the rescue efforts, and, at the moment, several people are yet unaccounted for. However, relief workers still hope of finding some of them alive after they saved a young woman who had been trapped for 23 hours in the ruins of her home.
The disaster also wounded some 1500 people, who are in need of hospital care, and left some 17,000 homeless, shattering houses and infrastructure.
I would like to ask your help in making their life a little bit easier. The Italian Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal to raise money to provide health care and assistance, and help fund the rebuilding of crucial infrastructure in Abruzzo.
The people of Abruzzo need your help now
The ITALY Magazine community wants to help the appeal by donating money through the British Red Cross - The British Red Cross gets your money faster and, if you're a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

ITALY Magazine has been in touch with the British Red Cross that has assured us that all donations through this page will go directly to the Italian Red Cross Emergency Appeal for Abruzzo