Children from a Madressa have raised £17k to help Ebola victims in Sierra Leone and huge amounts of food for their local Salvation Army food bank.

The children of Quwwatul Islam Madressa based in Preston, with the help of the wider Muslim community also raised £400 for a local charity for the disabled.

Imam Khalid Ibrahim, Head Teacher, said, "In Ramadan, Muslims go hungry out of choice through fasting.  

"However, many go hungry out of no choice of their own. It was important that the children learnt to recognise these difficulties and also realise that there are always ways in which you can help.  I am delighted that our small children and small community could make a big difference."

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Madressa teacher Hamida Vali said,"Ramadan is one of the ideal opportunities in which to show the true colours of Islam and I am honestly proud to say that the children of the Madressa, together with the wider Muslim community, have truly done that.  

"Due to their immense generosity, many of the most needy, not just in far off Sierra Leone, but even our close neighbours in Preston will now benefit."

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Peter Rankin, Leader of Preston City Council, stated that "The Muslim community currently faces many challenges due to the political environment, however time and again they continue to demonstrate how important they are within the wider Preston Community and even further afield.

"This is a fantastic contribution by the Muslim community to worthwhile charitable causes, both in this city and elsewhere."

The Salvation Army food bank nearly ran out of food and had to make an emergency appeal recently.

The food bank is delighted by the response of the whole Muslim community of Preston for their efforts in replenishing their stocks.