Mohammed Azeem, Karen Reece, Play Leader at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust Children’s Ward 17, and Nazim Ali, Creating Smiles Gifts Initiative Coordinator (Credit: Nazim Ali)

Nadine Osman

Bradford fundraiser Nazim Ali has once again delivered Eid gifts to sick children at Airedale Hospital as part of his annual Eid Ul Adha Creating Smiles Gifts Initiative. Ali collects presents for sick children at Eid Ul Fitr, Eid Ul Adha and the birthdate of Prophet Muhammad, as well as at Easter, Christmas, and during the festive seasons.

Speaking to The Muslim News, Ali said, “We are living in unprecedented times with Covid-19 and were determined to continue carrying on this initiative to spread goodness and positivity. It will be a stressful time for parents to have children in hospital and then also be worried about getting the disease or family members getting it and having to self-isolate.

We dropped off 33 gifts at the Children’s Ward 17 of Airedale Hospital. The diverse range of gifts included cuddly toys; children’s playsets, babies’ toys and so forth with a mixture for boys and girls.”
Ali was accompanied by his friend Mohammed Azeem to Airedale Hospital; one year to the day that Azeem spent 61 days in the hospital, of which 41 were in a coma as he successfully battled against Covid-19.

Azeem said, “It was a great honour to have been asked to attend with my friend Nazim Ali who never stops helping others and to support the excellent work of the caring staff in the NHS which I have had firsthand experience of.”
Ali said he spent a significant amount of time in hospital as a child when he suffered from tuberculosis and can empathise with children who have to spend time in hospital. He said he wanted to thank Shiraz Ahmed and Fairaz Ahmed of Bradford-based Saveco Cash & Carry for their kind and selfless ongoing support.

Shiraz Ahmed, Managing Director, Saveco Cash & Carry, said, “We are truly humbled to once more support the fabulous Toy Gifts Initiative started by Nazim who does so much to help others. We are pleased to support Airedale Hospital. Knowing so many children will be joyous and excited upon receiving their presents fills me and Fairaz with inner happiness and contentment. This is a difficult period (Covid-19), and we will get through it by praying for one another and supporting one another. ”