A 13-YEAR-OLD boy from Bradford is going above and beyond the call of duty by helping to deliver meals to elderly and vulnerable people in Manningham this Ramadan. Mohammed Habib, a student at Oasis Academy Lister Park, said that the holy month involves “so much more than just abstaining from food and drink”, and has encouraged others to help create a “sense of community” through charitable work. Habib has been working with the Volunteering Interfaith Programme (VIP) - run by Strengthening Faith Institutions in partnership with Age UK Bradford District - which has helped to distribute meals to people in need, regardless of their beliefs, through its Sharing Ramadan initiative.
A UNIVERSITY of Bradford fund set up to support students who are struggling amid the pandemic has now raised over £10,000. The Emergency COVID-19 Hardship Appeal reached the milestone - just a month after its launch - after a number of generous donations from alumni, staff and members of the community. Money raised will be used to support some of the poorest students, many of whom have little or no means of income other than working part-time - something many have been unable to do during lockdown. The news comes as volunteers from Bradford-based organisation the VIP (Volunteering Interfaith Programme) gave up their time and even spent their own money to launch a meal giveaway to students.
BRADFORD S Volunteering Interfaith Programme (VIP) and Age UK Bradford and District are teaming up to distribute hampers to elderly and isolated people this Christmas. Age UK estimates that over 850,000 older people could be spending this Christmas alone, with loneliness among the elderly only being worsened in the wake of COVID-19. Javed Bashir, Founder of VIP, said: Christmas is a time for giving, sharing and loving. I encourage Bradford’s interfaith communities, particularly children and young people, to get involved. Giving back to the city will help to unite us and bridge some of the racial, social and economic gaps in the district.