Source: www.manchestergazette.co.uk

Dozens of local volunteers from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA) joined more than a fifteen hundred volunteers last Sunday to take part in the AMYA Charity Challenge which hopes to top the quarter of a million pounds raised last year for UK charities.

The Charity challenge is an annual event which local members of the AMYA have been taking part in since 1985. This year it took place at Milton Keynes’ picturesque Willem Lake and comprised a forty kilometres bikathon and ten kilometres walk and run.

Local volunteers spent months gearing up for the event by raising money through personal sponsorship, from local businesses and by carrying out store collections at local supermarkets.

Dr Ingrid Roscoe, Lord-Lieutenant for West Yorkshire and a representative of Her Majesty the Queen, said:
“Thanks are due to your sponsors and to all the volunteers who have worked so hard to raise funds for the many British causes you are helping. You remind me that the prophet of Islam said that every act of goodness is charity. This is a philosophy I too espouse. With so many good wishes.”

Linda McAvan, Minister for the European Parliament, said:
“I am pleased to show my support for the MKA Charity Challenge. It has consistently brought large numbers of people together year on year, and has raised money for many worthy causes that help change people’s lives for the better. I wish the organisers and participants every success with the event!”

Mansoor Khan, local youth leader for the AMYA said:
”We were delighted to take part in the Charity Challenge and continue supporting some great UK causes. It gives us particular pleasure and drive to be supporting such a fantastic local charity. Given the recent tragic events in Boston, this is also an opportunity for us as Muslims to demonstrate that true Muslims are passionate about protecting life and not harming it.”