Bradford Muslim women's group aids Little Heroes charity (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford Muslim women's group aids Little Heroes charity

9:48am Thursday 10th December 2009 in

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A Muslim women’s association will be donating toys to Bradford-based charity Little Heroes after seeing an appeal in the Telegraph & Argus.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association has collected hundreds of toys to distribute to charities across the district in the coming weeks.

But after seeing the Little Heroes Holiday Toydrive appeal in the T&A last week, it decided to give a portion of the toys to the charity which helps children with cancer.

Maria Ahmed, general secretary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association, said: “As Muslims, helping humans is a fundamental part of our faith, so to us there is a real joy in giving to worthwhile causes, which is why we are giving to so many charities.

“We started collecting toys before we actually saw the Little Heroes appeal in the paper, but when we saw it, I contacted Little Heroes and spoke to them.

“It’s part of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal this year and, as an association, we support the Lord Mayor’s Appeal every year.

“It’s obviously a worthwhile cause – I think that the work that they do for children with cancer is amazing. It will be good to support a local charity.

“This is the first time we have worked with them, so I hope that it will be the start of something new.”

The association will also be donating toys to a range of charities and organisations across the district, including Barnardos, the children’s wards at Bradford Royal Infirmary and Airedale General Hospital, Greenfield Special School, in Bradford, Listonshiels Resource Centre, in Bierley, and a safe house for women who are victims of domestic abuse.

Colin Nesbitt’s Little Heroes Cancer Trust started its Holiday Toydrive last week and needs goodwill from festive shoppers.

The charity, which was a winner in the T&A’s Bradford’s Best Awards, has asked people to buy an extra present to go in the Little Heroes’ stocking and drop them off at T&A offices across the district.

The gifts will be delivered to youngsters being treated at children’s wards at BRI, Airedale General Hospital and at the regional cancer unit at St James’s Hospital, Leeds. For information about Little Heroes contact (01274) 288188, e-mail littleheroes@ hotmail.co.uk or visit littleheroes.org.uk.