Muslim Youth Present More Than 100k To British Charities
Published on Nov 08 2009
PRESS RELEASE
8 November 2009
MUSLIM YOUTHS PRESENT MORE THAN 100K TO BRITISH CHARITIES
Press Enquries: Waqar Ahmad Ahmedi 07966 089 338 press@khuddam.org.uk
A Muslim youth group has raised a record sum of money for British causes.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association presented more than £100,000 to nine charities following a 10k run held in Bradford, West Yorkshire, earlier this year.
At a historic presentation ceremony in Tilford, Surrey, on 26 September 2009, representatives from the following charities each received a cheque from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Assocation (AMYA) UK:
1. Ms. Clair Ferguson, Regional Fundraiser for Surrey, received a cheque for £15,000 on behalf of Great Ormond Street Hospital.
2. Mr. Grant Chapman, Area Fundraising Manager, received a cheque for £11,000 on behalf of MacMillan Cancer Support.
3. Mr. Robin Radley, Chairman of the Farnham branch, received a cheque for £15,000 on behalf of Save the Children.
4. Mr. Philip Palethorpe, Director of Facilities, received a cheque for £11,000 on behalf of The Royal Hospital for Neuro Disability.
5. Ms. Danielle Morgan, London Bikeathon Co-ordinator, received a cheque for £11,000 on behalf of Leukaemia Research.
6. Mr. Mansoor Shah, Acting Chairman, received a cheque for £26,800 on behalf of Humanity First.
7. Ms. Angela Gilchrist, Regional Chair for Kent, Sussex and Surrey, received a cheque for £11,000 on behalf of Barnados.
8. Unfortunately the representative for the NSPCC, Ms. Katherine Potter was unable to make the presentation due to ill health however the NSPCC was sent a cheque for £11,000.
With £1000 also donated to the Alzheimer's Society and presented to the Lord Mayor of Bradford on the actual day of the event, AMYA UK was able to present a total of £112,800 to charity this year.
"This has been a fantastic achievement and proud moment for our youth association," said Tommy Kallon, President of the AMYA UK, which has more than 6,000 members.
“For Muslims, service to humanity is a religious duty. Islam requires its followers to help the needy and to alleviate the suffering of people, regardless of age, gender, race and religion."
Mr Kallon added: "100% of the money raised goes directly to help those suffering from abuse, serious illness or extreme poverty. It is also hoped that the enthusiasm shown by so many hundreds of young British Muslims to raise money for British charities goes some way to enhancing community and multi-faith cohesion in the UK."
The event has become a popular annual fixture in the AMYA UK calendar helping the youth association to raise more than £1 million for various charities since it was first held in 1985.
Mr Kallon further added: "We look forward to next year’s Charity Challenge, which is to take place on Sunday 9 May 2010 in Slough, Middlesex, and hope to increase our fundraising efforts in order that we reach greater successes."
Further information about the Charity Challenge is available on www.mkacc.org.
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Notes to Editors:
1. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA) UK is an auxiliary body of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association. The AMYA is committed to the spiritual, moral, intellectual and physical development of young Muslims.
2. The association has a regular programme of structured activities for the youth with a mix of academic, sporting, social welfare and charitable works which keeps its members engaged.
3. The Charity Challenge is held in different cities each year with 100% of the proceeds going directly to the charities sponsored.
4. The purpose of all these activities is to engender the spirit of discipline and service to the wider community irrespective of people’s beliefs and backgrounds. The Ahmadiyya Muslim community’s motto ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’ underpins this ethos.
