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Richmond's Berber Leather is donating 20% of profits made in September to the Red Cross to help those affected by the devastating earthquake that happened in Morocco on Friday 8 September.

“It may not be widely known by people who buy from our business, but 95% of the products we sell are sourced from Morocco,” says Berber Leather owner Beki Stevenson. “Our company has worked closely over the past eight years with artisans from Fez and Marrakech to produce all the products we sell. These suppliers aren’t faceless factories - they are small family-based businesses that we have got to know on such a personal level over the years. To see the devastation that has hit the area is incredibly upsetting. We are doing what we can to help.”

Berber Leather’s name itself is a nod to its Moroccan roots, taking inspiration from the indigenous Berber peoples of North Africa, who have lived in the area since before 2000 BCE. They are renowned for their handicrafts including weaving, jewellery and leatherwork.

“We are donating 20% of our profits from all sales in our Richmond shop and on our website during September to the Red Cross, specifically their Morocco Earthquake Appeal,” says Beki. “If anyone also wants to donate to the Red Cross through us, please call into our Shop at 4 Trinity Church Square, Richmond in the next few weeks.”  

More than 2800 people have been killed and 300,000 people affected by the 6.8 magnitude earthquake. Most of these are in rural communities that are now desperate for basic food and water supplies, as well as needing shelter. Many of the villagers have not only lost their homes but also their livelihoods such as grain stores and cattle, and the support that they need to survive is long-term, not short.

More information about how the Red Cross is helping those affected by the earthquake. 

Berber Leather is run by father-daughter team Beki Stevenson and Paul Harrison. All their ranges are available at the Richmond Shop in the centre of the market place and online at www.berberleather.com