THANKS have been sent out to everyone who has helped raise almost £53,000 through the sale of cakes and donations during Ramadan for a blind school and orphanage in Pakistan.

Abdul Satar, who runs the Office Furniture Company, in Sunbridge Road, and Amjad Akram, of LetzTalk phone shop, in Great Horton Road, were the main people behind the collection and distribution of the 17-slice chocolate fudge cakes which were bought wholesale at Sea Fresh products, in Bradford, and sold for £10 each.

The men used their own vehicles and petrol to pick up and deliver the cakes door-to-door all around West and South Yorkshire, as well as into parts of Lancashire so all profits could go to the charity. They even paid for their own t-shirts advertising the charity and had posters printed.

"We made just over £20,000 on the sale of the cakes and the rest of the money has come from donations," said Mr Satar.

"It has been a fantastic response for this small charity in Mirpur, in Pakistan, which relies heavily on help to carry on. Even the professor who runs the school is blind himself.

"I want to thank everyone who purchased cakes and gave so generously. We are delighted with the amount we have raised and have already passed the money on."