I am writing as president of the Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations (Konsey) to implore you to help support our wonderful Turkish Language and Culture schools. Our schools help children learn Turkish language, music and dance, English, maths, science and cater for all 5-18 year olds so that they can grow up as confident children, proud of their cultural heritage. Success at GCSE and A level Turkish also boosts their chances of going on to College and University education.

Many of our schools need new printers, stationary and ink to print and photocopy exam papers, Turkish and English text from books, songs, poems, and programmes for Turkish celebrations and special events.

Our schools also need sound systems for addressing large groups of people, and playing back music and speech. Equally, projection equipment to display video and pictures on screens would be very helpful to our teachers and children.

We also need funding for Turkish folk dance clothing, musical instruments, hand held flags, and items such as busts of Ataturk.

Our schools are run by dedicated and inspiring volunteer teachers and support staff, and parents, all of whom give up a vast amount of their time and energy free of charge for this noble cause.

Please donate as much as you are able to and pass this link on to your friends and relatives. Every amount, no matter how small, is much appreciated and will help a child with their education. Please note that the JustGiving sponsorship payment is optional.

The member schools which will benefit from these donations are Ali Rıza Değirmencioğlu Türk Okulu, Dr Fazıl Küçük Türk Okulu, Rauf Raif Denktaş Türk Okulu, Southgate Atatürk Okulu, Hornsey Atatürk Okulu and Oakbury Türk Okulu.

A standard thank-you message is sent by Justgiving. My real message to all those contributing is "thank you very much for supporting our Konsey, schools, teachers, parents, and if course, our children".

Fahri Zihni