Local MP’s, Church Leaders and Charity Reps gather to promote the Charity Walk For Peace
Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association (AMEA) in Yorkshire and the North East held a Pre Charity Walk For Peace Dinner in Bradford on Friday 24th February 2017. They were joined by two local MP’s – Tracy Brabin (Batley and Spen) and Paula Sherriff (Dewsbury) as well as church leaders and representatives from 12 charities based in the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire area.
The Charity Walk for Peace (Registered Charity Number 1161567) raises and distributes money to UK charities. Funds are raised through Charity Walks which have been held all over the UK. The first Walk in 1998 raised £1,500 but the amount raised in 2016 was £504,000. The target for the 2017 Walk which is to be held on 14 May 2017 in Silvertown, London is £750,000. As part of the promotion of the Walk regional dinners are being held so that charities can find out more information about the Walk and how they may be nominated as a beneficiary of the Walk.
Following an introduction to the work of the Charity Walk For Peace presented by Mr Rafi Ahmad (National Vice President of AMEA) each charity representative was given an opportunity to discuss the work that they do locally in the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire area.
Dr Mr Muzaffar Chaudhary Ahmad, President of AMEA in Yorkshire and the North East, thanked the guests for coming together to promote the Walk and for presenting information about the invaluable work and services provided by their Charities. He also stated that the motto of AMEA – Love For All Hatred For None is one which they try and practice every day.
Both Tracy Brabin MP and Paula Sheriff MP praised the work done by local charities despite the current unstable and dangerous situation in the world at large.
Arif Ahmad, National Media Secretary for AMEA and one of the organisers of the dinner, also thanked all the guests who attended and stated that the work done by their charities is often not recognised or fully appreciated by the general public. He also stated that in 2016 the Charity Walk For Peace had been honoured to present donations to 3 local charities supported by the late Jo Cox MP (The Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, Batley Food Bank and the Friends of Batley Station)
Guests who attended the function included:-
- Tracy Brabin MP for Batley and Spen representing Harinder Veriah Trust and Downs and Special Friends
- Paula Sherriff MP for Dewsbury
- Rosie Corrigan – Former mayor of Selby and current parliamentary aide to Tracy Brabin MP
- Reverend Simon Cash and Mrs Elizabeth Cash from Dewsbury Minster
- David Firth from Ruddis Retreat
- Sally and Helen Whale from The British Red Cross
- Jason Costello and Ryan Grint from The Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice
- Bilal Mayet from The Royal Voluntary Service
- Samantha Petersen from S.A.M.M.I Fund
- Josie Griffin From Marie Curie
- Tony Nolan from St Vincent de Paul Society Lyndsey Richardson From Kirkwood Hospice
- Karen Griffin from Lindsey Lodge Hospice Linda Enderby from Cancer Support Yorkshire
Over 75 guests in total attended the event which was concluded with a silent prayer and dinner