A family said how people in Morocco were the “friendliest” they have met after trekking in the mountains just days before the devastating earthquake.

Thousands of people have died with many more displaced after the natural disaster hit the North African country.

Following the earthquake, Matt Vermeer shared his experience of trekking in Asni in the Atlas Mountains, one of the most affected areas of the country, less than a fortnight before the disaster.

Matt, 40, from Saltdean, said: “I have travelled to 52 countries and they are the friendliest people I have come across.

The Argus: residents of the village in Morocco after the earthquakeresidents of the village in Morocco after the earthquake (Image: Matt Vermeer)

“Some of the people we met in the mountains live in the most basic conditions but just wanted to make sure we were looked after.

“Having been directly in the region that has just been hit we were very, very concerned that people who had been so friendly to us were now in danger or worse.”

Matt, his wife Becky and their three children had been in the Atlas Mountains and had been in contact with a guide named Ahmed who had hosted them during their stay in a Berber village.

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The family have since been able to get in contact with Ahmed in Asni to confirm that he is alive but have found that he and his community are now sleeping in tents having been displaced by the earthquake.

Access for vehicles to the remote village has also not been possible so far.

To help raise money for the people affected, Matt and Becky have taken on the challenge of a 24-hour relay race over the weekend.

The Argus: The damage in the Berber village Matt and his family stayed inThe damage in the Berber village Matt and his family stayed in (Image: Matt Vermeer)

The family have also set up a GoFundMe page which has so far raised over £3,000 for their cause.

Starting at Hove Lawns at 3pm on Saturday, the couple will alternate running an hour each for a whole day.

Matt estimated that the couple could cover a combined distance of around 120 miles.

He said that all funds would go directly to those they had met in the mountains, adding: “The money will go straight to them and help supply things like tents and food where it is really needed.”