Three Bradford friends are on target to raise £1 million to rebuild four flood-destroyed villages in Pakistan.

Since October Councillor Rizwan Malik (Lab, Heaton) and his two pals, overseas property manager Tariq Hussain and community service officer Mohammed Sultan, have brought in more than £600,000 for Islamic Relief.

Coun Malik has returned from a four-day trip to one of the worst-hit regions in Northern Pakistan and he described the difference the charity’s aid has made so far as being “phenomenal.”

He said: “You can see the difference just be seeing the smiles on people’s faces. It’s been worth every penny.”

Now the trio are on the final push to bring in the last £400,000 and have organised three fundraising dinners in London on July 9, Manchester on July 25 and at the Bradford Hilton on July 24 – all to be hosted by former Pakistan and Lancashire cricket captain Waseem Akram.

Coun Malik said their first visit to the flood-stricken villages last year has “inspired and motivated” them to come home and raise money.

“We are blessed to have a wide and extensive team of helpers across Bradford.

“Half a dozen of them fell off their seats when we first said we wanted to raise £1m in a year but we can do it,” he said.

“The improvements made are massive. It’s not just homes that are being rebuilt, it’s the infrastructures – new drains, sewage systems, toilets, bore holes and taps.”

To find out more about the work of Islamic Relief and how you can help support it go to islamc-relief.org.uk More than 18 million people were affected by the floods, about 11 million lost their homes and there are still eight million people desperately in need of charity aid Tickets for the Bradford fundraising dinner are £20.

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