A PHILANTHROPIC businessman has almost hit his £120,000 fundraising target to help victims in his homeland ravaged by natural disaster.

When Nas Khan arrived on Teesside at the age of 14 he could not speak English, but went on to become managing director of the Jennings Motor Group, which employs hundreds of people across the region.

Over the past four years he has raised £110,000 for people in Rahim Yar Khan, south of Punjab in Pakistan an area that was devastated by floods in 2010.

Money raised has bought life-saving water purifiers and helped build a new community, called The Emaan Village, named after his charity, the Emaan Foundation.

A deep tube well has been installed providing clean water, 60 homes have been constructed and livestock purchased to make the village self-sufficient.

Mr Khan recently presented a cheque for £50,000 to Othman Moqbel, chief executive officer of the Human Appeal charity which provides international relief.

Mr Khan said: “The generosity from family, friends, colleagues, local businesses, schools, colleges and the general public has been absolutely incredible and I would like to thank everyone for their very kind, generous and continued support since we launched the appeal four years ago.”

Fundraising events in the past have consisted of dinners, auctions, raffles, golf events, in addition to a clothing re-cycling initiative.

Mr Khan added: “I am absolutely delighted to announce that we are now in the final phase of our fundraising activity with only £10,000 left to raise, which I’m extremely confident we will achieve over the coming months.”