Community leaders praise Spenborough's Muslim women's group

Cleckheaton Food Bank received a donation of 400 in provisions and 100 in cash on Easter Monday

As part of the nationwide ‘Help Your Neighbour’ campaign, launched by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, Spen Valley's Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association (AMWA) helped two local groups which are providing relief to communities during the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

The first group which was assisted is the new foodbank set up in Cleckheaton by Reverend Brunel James, Reverend Ray Barrett and Councillor John Lawson.

Mrs Rashda Ahmad, outreach coordinator for the AMWA in Spen Valley said: ”Helping our neighbours is a basic duty of all Muslims.

Reverend Brunel James applauded the massive contribution the Spen Valley Ahmadiyya Muslim Womens Group have had madeto help get the project off the ground.

"This is even more important in a time like this with the Coronavirus outbreak causing hardship and anxiety in our communities.

We are very grateful to be able to play our small part in helping two wonderful groups that help alleviate poverty. We also wish to thank Wendy Clough, Community Champion at Morrisions,

Heckmondwike, who arranged the shopping for both donations.”

With demand for foodbanks increasing, and expected to rise further, the AMWA launched a national campaign to help food banks up and down the country.

The AMWA in Spen Valley provided a boost to Cleckheaton Food Bank by donating £400 in provisions and £100 in cash on Easter Monday (April 13).

Councillor Lawson said: "The contribution has given the project just the boost it needed."

The second group which the AMWA in Spen Valley helped is the Rainbow Baby Bank, based in Heckmondwike.

The registered charity is the only Baby Bank in North Kirklees and provides support and assistance to mothers and children throughout the Spen Valley, as well as parts of Wakefield.

Food given to the banks by the Muslim women's group

Baby Bank Manager, Angela Surtees, was delighted with £421 of provisions and an £80 cash donation presented to the Baby Bank on Sunday.

Ms Surtees said: “Thank you for your generosity.

"I was absolutely speechless at how much they dropped off.

"This will help so many families in our community."

Reverend Brunel James applauded the massive contribution the Spen Valley Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Group have had made to help get the project off the ground.