Bradford duo to embark on aid mission in time for Islamic holy month
A pair of charity champions from Bradford are preparing to embark on their latest visit to the Turkey-Syrian border, delivering a bounty-load of aid supplies to vulnerable refugees.
For the past two years, Nazim Ali and Wajid Khan have travelled to the border town of Reyhanli and surrounding areas to provide support for displaced Syrians.
Aiming to make it three years in a row later this month, the duo will set off on 21st May for a week-long aid mission before returning just in time for the start of Ramadan.
They will distribute over 100 Ramadan food parcels during their visit, consisting of 20kg of aid – enough to provide a refugee family of six with a sufficient amount of food to last throughout the Islamic holy month.
“This will be our third visit to the region for the third consecutive year,” Nazim explained. “We can tell you from our experiences that the situation has not changed, if anything it has got worse.
“Many families are living in partially built homes with no windows or doors, some are living in tents and are in need of food and water – commodities we take for granted.
“We have heard of firsthand accounts of mothers mixing water with sugar for their babies because they couldn’t afford baby milk. Large families are rationing the little food they have so that it lasts for a month.”
Nazim and Wajid hope to raise £6,000 before jetting off, with 100 per cent of the funds going towards the purchasing of food parcels as well as toys for children in the refugee camps.
Last weekend, over £1,450 was raised from a charity car wash – the equivalent cost of 29 Ramadan food parcels, whilst an online fundraising page has also been set up.
Travelling as part of the SKT Welfare charity convoy, the Bradford humanitarians will also help host a ‘family fun day’ during the trip, at the charity’s flagship ‘Springs of Hope Family Centre and Orphanage’ for over 100 Syrian orphans.
“Hundreds of thousands of Syrians are suffering around the world and are in desperate need of assistance,” Nazim added. “In Reyhanli alone it is estimated that there are almost 80,000 externally displaced Syrian refugees.
“This is precisely the reason Wajid and I will be visiting the border region once again.
“Please help us to help the Syrian people who are in dire need. The regular images of destruction and the huge loss of life, particularly of innocent men, women and children on our TV screens are a reminder that the Syrian people need our monetary assistance more than ever.”
If you would like to make a donation to help with the funding for Ramadan food parcels, please visit www.justgiving.com/ramadan4syria2016
