Fundraisers are aiming to send thousands of pounds worth of aid to support families in war-torn Palestine.
A charity day will be held at Girlington Community Centre on Sunday 24 December with a wide range of stalls and activities for families to enjoy.
Organiser Sadiqa Ahmed says she’s been completely overwhelmed by interest in the event.
She says: “There can’t be anyone who hasn’t been deeply moved by the images they’ve seen on the news from Palestine and the terrible atrocities which people are suffering.
“Particularly upsetting are the innocent children who have done nothing wrong but find themselves stuck in the middle of this terrible conflict and dying every day. I can’t remember the number of times I’ve started to cry when watching some of the pictures and hearing the terrible stories of death and suffering.
“I wanted to do my own little bit to make a difference and had the idea of this event to pull the local community together. It started out on quite a small scale but has grown beyond my expectations. We started off by sharing a flyer about the event with neighbours and friends. They then shared it with others who shared it with others and so on.
“We must have about 50 people helping out now.”
Sadiqa continues: “Donations of items have been amazing. Even local security guards have come forward to volunteer their time for free to keep an eye on the event. We’re so overwhelmed and extremely grateful for all the offers of help we’ve received.
“I heard about a much smaller local event which recently raised £7,000 and based on that I’m extremely confident we can raise up to double that amount.
“There are sometimes concerns about whether aid gets through to the people who need it most, but I can guarantee that every single penny raised on Sunday will be sent. We’ve got direct contact with someone on the ground in Gaza and so we’ll send all the aim straight to them.”
Sadiqa, who works as a cover supervisor at a local school as well as being a foster carer for two teenagers, is no stranger to family loss and heartache. Apart from the current situation in Palestine, this has also helped motivate her efforts to organise Sunday’s event.
In 1993 her father Mohammed Riaz Bhatti died from cardiovascular disease aged just 45. In 2008, her husband Mukhtayar Ahmed died from leukaemia aged 49. Tragedy struck again just two years later when her son, 20-year-old Aamir Ahmed tragically drowned in Bradford’s Chellow Dene Reservoir just days after his brother’s wedding. Sunday’s event is being held in loving memory of these three family members.
Sadiqa says: “Family loss is very close to my heart and that contributed to my desire to organise this event. Whilst it’s been a lot of hard work and effort to organise, I’m extremely excited about the event and hope as many people as possible turn out to support it.
Attractions include food and drink, face painting, raffles, a bouncy castle, an auction, dessert and sweet stalls, henna, a 360-degree photo booth, jewellery stalls, and a beauty stall.
The event will run on Sunday from 12noon to 7pm at Girlington Community Centre, Girlington Road, Bradford, BD8 9NN.
