Karen Reece, Play Leader at Airedale Hospital Children’s Wards, Nazim Ali, Creating Smiles Gifts Initiative coordinator and Kirsty Randell, Matron for Children’s and Women’s Services at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust (Courtesy of Nazim Ali)

Elham Asaad Buaras

A Bradford man, who was treated in hospital as a child for Tuberculosis, has handed out over 30 Eid al-Adha gifts to children in Airedale Hospital Children’s Wards.

Manningham-based Nazim Ali has been distributing gifts in Yorkshire children wards, four times a year for the past eight consecutive years, to mark the two Eid’s, Easter as well as Christmas.

Explaining his motivation Ali – who has over 22 years of community services and fundraising achievements under his belt – told The Muslim News, “The essence of the Islamic celebration of Eid al-Adha has the universal concept of kindness and compassion to all particularly those in need. It is these values that bring all people together regardless of belief, and we hope we have achieved this at some level.

We realize this is a period of reflection for Muslims. However, it is also a period where we should reflect and support the most vulnerable in society. To this end, we felt the need to make a proactive difference especially during this particularly difficult period of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Shiraz Ahmed, Managing Director, Saveco Cash & Carry, who sponsored the Toy Gifts Initiative said, “This initiative and the other charitable initiatives we support such as supporting food banks, sponsoring soup kitchens, junior football teams and so forth is all part of our corporate social responsibility as a Bradford-based business to give back to society and is something Fairaz and I passionately believe in. This is a difficult period and we will get through it by praying for one another and supporting one another.”

Kirsty Randell, Matron for Children and Women Services at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said, “The gifts are such a kind gesture to give a little smile to poorly children on our ward. We are extremely grateful to Nazim, Saveco Cash & Carry and Ottoman Tea, Bar & Grill for thinking of us once more and are thankful for Nazim’s continued support.”

In May Ali raised almost £40,000 running a solo marathon for Green Crescent Aid UK, a charity which raises funds for improvised people in Malawi, He completed his seventh annual run in a time of 1:11:41, while fasting in Ramadan.