A NEPALESE student has spoken out of the horror of finding his family home had been destroyed in Saturday’s earthquake that has killed an estimated 3,000 people.

Caversham resident Ayush Maharjan, who has just completed a degree in accounting and finance at the University of Sunderland, found out about the 7.8 Richter scale quake the morning it had happened after a friend told him the devastating news.

The 26-year-old instantly called his mum and dad to learn their Kathmandu home was at the epicenter and had been partially destroyed in the shock with his beloved family having been left homeless.

Mr Maharjan said: “On Saturday I was in church nearly all day praying and praying for my family. I was so worried.

“My family were hit hard because they live in the middle of the city and all the big buildings have crumbled there.

“We have a huge crack going right down the house and part of it has come down. My family have been told it’s not structurally safe to be inside so since it happened they’ve been sleeping outside and what makes it worse is that there has been a lot of rain there at the moment.”

Mr Maharjan, who has so far raised more than £4,500 collecting in Broad Street and London, explained that shortages in shelter, food and water have prompted him to raise money to send to Nepal to help those in aid.

He said: “The cost of a packet of noodles costs around £5 back home because people have nothing and supplies are so limited.

“I really want to travel back to see my family – even if I can help move bricks and clear the rubble, at least I’ll be doing something practical – but I can’t get back now because of university.”

He added: “I have £360 to live off at the moment but I’ve given Oxfam £80 of that but I don’t care as long as it gets to the people who really need it.”

Mr Maharjan, who began raising the emergency funds on Monday, has praised the generosity of the borough’s residents.

He said: “People in Reading have been so kind and it’s thanks to them that we have been able to raise so much. They’ve given us five and 10 pound notes and it’s just been unbelievable really, we’re so grateful.”

Mayor of Reading Tony Jones has been encouraging residents to donate to the cause via Red Cross or independent collectors currently operating in the borough.

He said: “Our hearts go out to Reading’s Nepalese community and their families and friends who have been affected by this devastating earthquake.”