Hundreds of people have responded to an appeal to raise £50,000 for an urgent operation needed by Engin Yorgancı’s wife, Mena.

The mother of two has been diagnosed with an aggressive stage 2 tumour in her pancreas. She was due to have an operation to remove it in the UK, but has been trapped indefinitely in Istanbul after international flights were grounded to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

She has been advised not to delay the planned medical procedure, as the rapid growth of the tumour poses a threat to life, making her only option a full-cost operation in a hospital in Turkey.

Of Turkish Cypriot origin, party promoter Engin Yorgancı is one of the community’s best known and loved personalities. He has been at the forefront of Turkish London’s entertainment scene for nearly twenty years, first with Cyprus Meze Bar and later Cyprus Garden.

His high profile and popularity has helped garner a huge response to an appeal for donations to help fund the operation.

In under a week, £31,808 had been raised – 63% of the £50,000 target. So far, 677 people have donated to the Crowdfunder appeal, set up by close friend Thomas Hasan and supported with a big social media push by İrfan Davulcular of Cudworth Taxis.

In his overview for the online appeal, Mr Hasan said: “Everyone in the Turkish Community knows and Loves Engin Yorganci. He is a well respected and always shows respect and courtesy to everyone he associates with.”

“If the cancer reaches stage 3, she will die. They desperately need our help to fund the operation in Istanbul. This operation needs to be done within days before its too late.”

“We ask you to donate anything you can. doesn’t matter if it’s just £1.00 or a £1000.00. but PLEASE just give.”

Click here to access the online appeal and make a donation.