A food aid mission is being organised by a Liskeard business in the hope of being able to help up to 100 families affected by the earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal, for a month.

Shyam Maharjan, manager and chef at the Everest Tandoori Restaurant, and the owner and head chef Purna Humagain, are organising a special event on Wednesday, May 20, at which they hope to raise between £2,000 and £3,000.

The restaurant will be running an all day 'eat as much as you like' buffet, between 12.30pm and 9.30pm at £15 per head and £10 from every customer will be donated to the cause. The restaurant also has a collection bucket on the bar into which diners have already put £250.

The two men are both from Nepal, but Purna's home town of Chitawan was not affected by the quake. However, Shyam's family live in Kathmandu where thousands of lives were lost and thousands more were left homeless and hungry.

Shyam said: 'The money raised will be sent to our contact in Chitawan where it will be used to buy staple foods like rice and lentils, which will then be taken personally into Kathmandu on our behalf.

'The people of Liskeard have supported us to help our friends who are suffering and in need. It would help 100 people for a month if we can raise our target.'

Shyam suffered many hours of anguish after news of the earthquake came through because his son, 23, and daughter 21, both live in Kathmandu.

'My daughter Engeela got through to me to tell me that all the family were safe. My parents' house has gone, but they survived and are sheltering with an aunt. My brothers and sisters are also safe. That was all I needed to know and there has been no contact since then as it is impossible with all the communications damaged.

'I am not worried about my family now but we want to help those left with nothing – the Nepalese homeless and hungry. We are hoping for good support from our customers and friends.'

Ganga and Rita Sapkota, of the Gurkha Tandoori Take Away in Liskeard, raised £1,400 by donating a proportion of their takings and a bucket collection this week. 'We would like to thank everyone for helping people from our homeland,' they said.