Muslim Aid raises over £18,000 for children living in poverty

UK based international charity Muslim Aid celebrated Muslim Aid Day with an exclusive dinner and auction held at the iconic BT Tower, raising £18,750 for one of its key projects, the Rainbow Family Child Sponsorship Programme.  The theme of the day was “Every Child Matters”.
Among the attendees were former England International cricketing legend Graeme Swann – who donated a signed cricket bat – and MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, Rushnara Ali.
As well as Graeme’s bat, other items which went under the hammer included a 4.90ct natural sapphire – which alone raised £10,000 – a trip to the Lords Cricket Club for ten, and a signed photo of Usain Bolt.
The Child Sponsorship Programme supports over 5,200 children across the globe by providing schooling costs, food, clothing and access to health services.  The money raised could support four children throughout their entire 13 year education, or can enable 52 children to attend school for one year.
Speaking at the event, Dr Manazir Ahsan MBE, Chairman of Muslim Aid said: “Children are at the heart of every community. They are our future and it is our responsibility as the international community to ensure that every child is given the opportunity to grow, prosper and fulfil their full potential.  However, we all know that millions of children around the world miss out on their childhood as a result of poverty.
“We at Muslim Aid believe that every child should have the best possible opportunity in life, and together ensure that these children have the childhood they deserve and get the opportunities they deserve.”
Shahzad Saleem, the MD of Cost Transformation at BT and sponsor of the BT Muslim Network speaking at event on Monday evening said: “BT have a strategy called Our Better Future, which is designed to help make a better world. Our goal by 2020 is to have generated more than £1bn for great causes like todays within the community.
In keeping with BTs Our Better Future vision I am really pleased to be supporting Muslim Aid’s Rainbow Family Programme. It’s the work they do throughout the world with young children in providing them food, shelter, clothing and education that brings a huge sense of pride as a Muslim myself to be championing this cause on behalf of BT.”