Published on Aug 31 2006 

Islamabad, Tilford, 27th August

Under the Chairmanship of Naib Sadr, Fahim Anwer Sb, search for the Charity Challenge venue began in early 2006 and it was eventually decided to use Islamabad to host the event and devise a round route, which will enable Islamabad to be the start and finish point for the event. The date set for the event was 27th August 2006.

Work began in liaising with the National Charities and some local charities informing them that we would be sponsoring them this year and also asking them to actively participate in the event if possible, i.e. asking them to invite their members and advertising the Charity Challenge through their website and media.

The charities sponsored this year were: 1. Save the Children 2. Leukaemia Research 3. Humanity First 4. Great Ormond Street Hospital 5. Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability 6. Macmillan cancer relief 7. Victim Support Surrey

The route was comprised of two of the local ‘official’ country walks in the area – Tilford Walk and Frensham Walk – and took in the area south west of Islamabad including the two large ponds in Frensham.

A press release and letters went to national and local press as well as radio and television stations. The Charity Challenge website was also continually being updated. It included a sponsor form request, information on the charities, information on the route, as well as history of the event and Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya.

Feedback from the media was generally quite good with the Bordon Post, Eagle Radio, and BBC Guildford all covering the event prior to the actual day.

On the day if the event registration started at 8.30am and by mid morning the participants were congregated in the main Islamabad field at the starting point by the exit gate.

This year there were a number of different categories of event; 13 mile run for Khuddam, 13 mile walk for Khuddam, and 6 ½ mile route for Atfal. Once the rules and regulation were read out then Sadr Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya started the races.

MTA UK covered the whole event and a TV crew from ITV Meridian also came to film the beginning of the event and interview Sadr Majlis and the Charity Challenge Chairman.

Participants of the 13 mile run were beginning to come in at the finish at just under an hour and a half from starting after which the rest of the participants began to file back in over the next few hours.

The total registered attendance was 506 including those working on site preparations, food preparations and marshalling. This was comprised of approximately 300 Khuddam and 200 Atfal. The total amount raised in sponsorship promises on the day came in at £43,108 with £14,156 collected by close of registration and we are aiming at increasing the actual amount donated, as many people actually promise / donate after the event.

The final session was presided over by Naib Amir, Mansoor Shah Sahib and prizes given at the final session were to the highest fund rasiers, to the winners of the 3 different race categories, as well as to the oldest competitor (79 years old) and best region in attendance. Certificates of Support were also presented to the Charity Representatives that were present and each came up to stage to add their vote of thanks to MKA. Fahim Anwer Sahib said a few words of thanks to the participants and organising committee followed by a speech from Mansoor Shah Sahib on the emphasis that we as Khuddam and young men of the community should stand out in always being first and foremost in helping those around you.

Sadr Sahib closed the final ceremony with a few words reiterating what Naib Amir mentioned by telling all present that we should stand fast by our motto of love for all, hatred for none and act as servants to the community at large, especially in the current climate. Naib Amir Sahib ended the final session with silent prayer.

On this day the sun shone all day long topping off an eventful and purposeful Charity Challenge for another year.