An annual Iftar (break the fast) event helped raise money for bereaved families.

The event was open to Rochdale Bangladeshi Partnership Project (RBPP) members and to all sections of the community. At the gathering food is provided free of charge and guests are asked for a kind donation for the chosen charity.

This year the event was sponsored by CommuniTea CIC and the iftar was held at the newly established CommuniTea Room in the town.

The event started with a welcome message from the Chairperson of RBPP – Keith Swift.

Dr Musharraf Hussain (Vice-Chair of RBPP) talked about Ramadan briefly and introduced the team from “Children of Jannah” the charity chosen for this year’s event.

The Children of Jannah team did a small presentation telling their story – the charity is the 1st to support parents of Muslim families with education, counselling and training when a child dies. It was founded in 2011 by Hafizah Ismail. The Children of Jannah provides telephone support and information line, bereavement support, counselling as well as run support groups for mothers and fathers. More details about the charity can be found at www.childrenofjannah.com.

Dobir Miah (RBPP Project Co-ordinator and also a Director for CommuniTea CIC) conducted the event alongside RBPP Secretary Sajjad Miah. Dobir said: "We are grateful for the overwhelming support we received and for all the donations made at the charity Iftar, the amount raised on the night will mean a very worthy cause will be able to support more and more families with bereavement issues.

"On behalf of the RBPP I would like to thank all those who took part in the Charity Iftar. We hope that our contributions will go a long way to help those who are in need of counselling and support at a difficult time of losing a child.

"I would like to thank the staff at the CommuniTea Room for their great food & hospitality. I would also like to thank everyone for making it a successful and enjoyable evening. Members of RBPP are also collecting money in tins, so hopefully the £1000 barrier will be reached”.

Dr Shamim Iqbal representing Children of Jannah added: “we are so happy for the help and support given to us by the Rochdale Bangladeshi Partnership Project – they truly are amazing in the way they raise funds for charities and we commend them for their work in the community.

We welcome businesses and community organisation’s to come forward and raise money or make donations so that we can continue and support bereaved families.

Can I thank CommuniTea CIC for sponsoring the event and the staff/management at the CommuniTea Room for the wonderful food & hospitality, can I also thank everyone who attended and made a donation".

The RBPP work to exchange and foster mutual understanding between British Bangladeshis and indeed other communities.

It is currently working on a number of projects including one on heritage and another around mentoring.

To find out more about the work of the Rochdale Bangladeshi Partnership Project please visit their website – www.rbpp.org.uk