SELFLESS children from inner-city Bradford have spent their Christmas holidays visiting the elderly and giving them Christmas hampers as part of a programme bringing young and old together.

Children from Manningham have taken part in the Volunteering Interfaith Partnership (VIP)’s Christmas Hamper Programme to help tackle loneliness and isolation over the festive period.

Fathima Zahir Raja, seven, and Adyan Raja, 10, who attend the Noor-ul-Islam madrassa in Manningham, have both been involved, as has 15-year-old Muhammad Habib.

An Age UK survey found that nearly a million older people will feel lonely this Christmas, as two-fifths have lost a husband or wife in recent times.

For many, Christmas is not an exciting time where they get to watch their grandchildren open presents or share a meal with loved ones. Instead, it is characterised by being alone and unhappy.

"Christmas is a time for giving, sharing and loving. We encouraged Bradford’s faith communities and young people to get involved with this noble act,” said Dr Javed Bashir, Founder of VIP.

“Giving back to the city will help to unite us and bridge some of the racial, social and economic gaps in the district.” 

Members of the VIP have been supporting elderly, vulnerable and isolated people with meals since the Covid-19 lockdown first began nearly three years ago.

With Christmas underway, Dr Bashir added it was a “perfect time” to share gifts and be charitable.

“It is also important to carry out such duties to break the shell of misconceptions that people may have of the Muslim community,” he added

‘We’ve come a long way since Covid-19, delivered lots of smiles and made many memories.”