A multicultural women's volunteer group is set to take Bradford by storm - starting with a launch party this weekend.

Future for Women was set up earlier this

year to bring together Bradford women of all

cultures.

And within months of conception, the group is well on its way to settling into permanent premises and becoming a non-profit making company.

Zanib Thackray, 43, of Great Horton came up with the idea because of her mixed parentage and background.

"My mother is English and my father is Asian. Although I have the colour of Asian I don't always fit in.

"Language barriers and culture sometimes made me feel excluded when I attended other groups," she said.

The mother-of-four said to tackle this she set up a group which welcomed all women of all cultures with the aim of celebrating diversity and providing support and solidarity.

"All my neighbours and friends are from different cultures," she said.

"I love all colours, traditions and cultures and that's what made me feel we should set something up," said Miss Thackray.

She added the group was intended to provide advice and support in a safe setting.

"We want to cater for those suffering domestic violence and we want to bring women out of seclusion into a safe environment," she said.

Future for Women is currently being run from Miss Thackray's home whilst the group wait until January, when renovations on their new premises on Otley Road, in Undercliffe, will be completed.

But the women are not letting the grass grow under their feet.

Miss Thackray's work for the group has become a full-time job, with the latest project to raise awareness, flush out more volunteers and raise money.

All the cash raised will be put straight back into Future for Women, and the group have big plans for the money.

"We want to be able to offer educational classes in subjects like language skills, we are going to set up a community caf and a crche and for women who might need services we are not qualified for, like counselling, we have the links to connect them," Miss Thackray said.

The group has so far raised revenue through donations and fundraising.

"It's a voluntary organisation and everything that we earn is going back into what we are doing," she said.

The launch event will take place at Southmere Primary School, in Great Horton, on Saturday, October 29 from 1.30pm to 4pm.

Women and children will be able to sample food from across the globe and various competitions and activities will be held.

To find out more about Future for Women, telephone Samina Shah on 07811 261 960.