FUNDRAISER Nazim Ali, from Manningham, has once again received grateful thanks from Airedale Hospital after collecting and delivering over 30 gifts for sick children this week.

The gifts were the 8th annual Eid Ul Adha gift-giving initiative organised by Nazim to donate to Airedale Hospital children's ward.

Kirsty Randell, matron for Children's & Women's Services at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust said: "The gifts are such a kind gesture to give a little smile to the poorly children on our ward. We are extremely grateful to Nazim, Saveco Cash & Carry and Ottoman Tea, Bar & Grill for thinking of us once more and are thankful for Nazim's continued support.”

Nazim said it was a great honour and was 'profoundly humbled' to be able to arrange the gift presentation and thanked Shiraz Ahmed and Fairaz Ahmed, managing directors of Bradford-based Saveco Cash & Carry for their kind and selfless on-going support.

He added: "We are living in unprecedented times with Covid-19 and we are determined to carry this initiative on to spread goodness and positivity. It will be a stressful time for parents to have children in hospital and then also be worried about getting the disease or family members getting it and having to self-isolate.

"We dropped off over 30 gifts for poorly children ranging from babies to 16 years on children's ward 17. The diverse range of gifts included cuddly toys, children's DVDs, play sets, babies toys and so forth with a mixture for boys and girls. It was a gesture of kindness and to show that members of the wider community do care and think about them and ultimately uplift their spirits.

"The gifts are for all children in the ward irrespective of faith. The essence of the Islamic celebration of Eid Ul Adha has the universal concept of kindness and compassion to all particularly those in need. It is these values that bring all people together regardless of belief and we hope we have achieved this at some level."