Blackburn fast-breaking event boosts Raise The Roof appeal (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn fast-breaking event boosts Raise The Roof appeal

11:00am Thursday 15th September 2011 in Raise The Roof East Lancs Hospice Appeal By Neil Docking, Reporter

A fast-breaking charity event held at the end of Ramadhan has boosted the Raise The Roof appeal by £1,000.

The community organisation One Voice hosted its annual ‘Big Iftaar’ at Bangor Street Community Centre in Blackburn at the end of the Islamic holy month.

This year, organisers split the money between local charities and the East African drought appeal.

More than £5,000 was raised, with the Lancashire Telegraph=backed Raise The Roof campaign benefitting to the tune of £1,000.

The Raise the Roof aims to raise £125,000 to build a new roof over the inpatients unit at East Lancashire Hospice.

The donation means the appeal has now reached £78,000.

Zaheer Mahmud of One Voice said: “I would like to thank all those who attended and pledged money to these worthwhile cause.

“This year we were very pleased to assist some important local charities.”

Iftaar is the time of the day at sunset when Muslims break the fast.

Mr Mahmud said the event, organised within a 14-day period, was made possible thanks to the kindness and generosity of local people.

All the food was donated by businesses, while volunteers helped to serve the meals.

Sharon Crymble, fundraising manager at East Lancashire Hospice, said: “This is a huge help to the hospice.

"We are desperately trying to raise the remaining amount, as the recent bad weather has shown that we need to replace the roof as soon as possible.

“One of the patient rooms had a leak and we had to move one of our patients and close the room, which in turn affects the service that we can offer.

“It is now more important than ever to raise the remaining balance.”

The hospice, in Park Lee Road, Blackburn, already needs to raise approximately £2.8 million each year to continue supporting people in Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley who have terminal and life-threatening diseases.

How to donate

• By text - Send ROOF to 70700. Texts cost £5 plus network charge. East Lancashire Hospice receives at least £4.45. Obtain bill payers permission. Customer care 08448479800.

  Charity No 1075653.

• Online - At eastlancshospice.org.uk/roof-appeal. Remember to add the word ‘roof’ in the comments section so it is clear the donation is for this appeal.
• At a bank - Make a payment at any Yorkshire Bank, Account No 22741541, Sort Code 05-02-52. Locally there are branches in Accrington, Barnoldswick, Blackburn, Burnley, Chorley, Clitheroe, Colne, Nelson and Todmorden.
• By post - Send a cheque to Roof Appeal, East Lancashire Hospice, Park Lee Road, Blackburn, BB2 3NY.
• By phone - Pay by debit or credit card by ringing 01254 733410.

If surplus funds are raised they will be used for the general purposes of the charity.

Click on the link below for more information on the Raise The Roof campaign.

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