England stars visit quake victims

We hope that others follow our lead Michael Vaughan

England captain Michael Vaughan says the suffering of children affected by the Pakistan earthquake has shaken him.

Vaughan took some of his team-mates on Friday to the Institute of Medical Science in Islamabad, where more than 1,500 young victims are being treated.

"As a father myself it was very distressing to see the injuries these children have suffered," he said.

"It's something you just hope you would never have to see. There are kids of three weeks in plaster screaming."

More than 55,000 people were killed on 8 October and millions left homeless by the earthquake.

During their visit, Vaughan, Ashley Giles, Matthew Hoggard and Marcus Trescothick were visibly moved by the pain they witnessed.

They are determined to raise awareness about the plight of survivors, with Vaughan admitting he had been in the dark before his visit.

"I didn't realise the extent of the damage. I am not saying that back home this has been forgotten, but it has not been mentioned that often," he explained.

"The kids in this hospital are the lucky ones - so many others have not got to that stage, and I just hope we can raise the profile of what still needs to be done.

"It has opened my eyes to the real scale of the disaster, and they say it is only going to get worse unless there is a lot more funding brought forward."

It is important the plight of those needing blankets and tents is not forgotten Michael Vaughan

Giles, also a young father like Vaughan and Trescothick, added: "It really pulls on the heart-strings. We all had huge lumps in our throats. You would not be human if you didn't.

"I didn't have any idea about the true scale of things until I arrived in this country.

"The doctors and the aid workers are doing a fantastic job - but they need the tools to do a better job.

"If we can raise awareness of the situation here we are doing the most important job we can."

To that end the England players have agreed to take part in an exhibition golf match in Lahore and will also raise a donation from match fees for the one-dayer in the city next month.

But the skipper says a lot more still needs to be done to maintain the relief effort.

"It is important, with winter approaching, that the plight of those needing blankets and tents in the earthquake zone is not forgotten," Vaughan explained.

"Team England and the England and Wales Cricket Board have already donated significant sums to the Disasters and Emergencies Appeal, and we are taking part in more fundraising events in Pakistan.

"We hope that others follow our lead.

"We are particularly delighted that the ECB will endorse the Save the Children Fund's Children in Emergencies Appeal.

"This appeal will ensure that children continue to receive aid and medical help long after the rest of the world has forgotten the disaster."