MALAYSIAN students at the University of York are holding a special event to send their support to people affected by the air disaster at the weekend.

The Malaysian Students’ Society is putting together a book of support and is inviting people in the city to join them by adding their messages to people affected by the tragedy.

Organiser Imran Nordin said: “We want to support the victims of flight MH370 and their family members. Fortunately none of our Malaysian students have relatives on that flight, but close friends know several of the passengers.”

The group is holding an “open door” session this evening to give people chance to add their names and messages.

Imran said: “This is an impromptu event and we are hoping to get thousands of messages to show families in Malaysia that we are thinking of them.”

The meeting takes place from 7pm in room PT007 of the physics building, next to the Central Hall on the Heslington West campus.

There are about 75 Malaysian students at the university, and with family members they make a Malaysian community in York of more than 100 people.