![\"Nuneaton](\"http:\/\/www.theasiantoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Nuneaton-food-fest-8-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Working with nine dedicated volunteers from the community, and with support from Haroon Mota, Penny Appeal\u2019s Midlands Fundraising Manager, Yaseen had just two weeks to promote the Food Festival. Thanks to local businesses including Friends Corner, Sundarbon Tandoori, Shahi Balti and City Pizza, as well as the many volunteers and supporters, the event was a huge success.<\/p>\n
Yaseen said: \u201cOn the day we had 25 amazing #TeamOrange volunteers and were overwhelmed by the support from the community. Everything was gone in just one hour, and we raised a magnificent \u00a32,259.48 for Penny Appeal\u2019s Refugee Emergency campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe enjoyed all sorts of tasty treats, from freshly barbecued meat and a selection of curries and spicy savouries, to traditional Kenyan dishes and a whole host of cakes and desserts!\u201d<\/p>\n
Haroon added: \u201cI\u2019m always impressed by the dedication of our volunteers and am delighted to see Yaseen and his team\u2019s hard work pay off. The event was a huge success and illustrated perfectly the generosity of the Nuneaton community in helping those who are less fortunate.\u201d![\"Nuneaton](\"http:\/\/www.theasiantoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Nuneaton-food-fest-17-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Idris Sheikh was moved to attend the event by the harrowing stories of thousands of refugees making the dangerous crossing to Europe. \u201cSeeing those poor children die at sea is terrible, you just can\u2019t begin to imagine the desperate situations their families are facing,\u201d he commented. Mr Sheikh has generously made a donation to bring the total from the event to \u00a32,500.<\/p>\n
Volunteers on the day added:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Farouk: \u201cI was honoured to be a part of a worthy cause and a heart-warming event, and moved by the overwhelming support from the community who made this a success by coming through the doors in droves and helping raise a significant sum for those in dire need. I pray Allah (swt) accepts our humble efforts.\u201d<\/li>\n
- Shabina: \u201cIt really brought the whole community together, young and old.\u201d<\/li>\n
- Safiyyah: \u201cI often wonder how many people can spare the time for volunteering\/fundraising but really it\u2019s not about having the time it\u2019s about having the heart and that\u2019s what I saw on Saturday. I felt so proud to be part of a community that wants nothing more than to simply give to those in need.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The next fundraising event will be a 5k Winter Walk in Nuneaton this Sunday, 7th<\/sup> February. It starts at 2pm at Khalifa House, 121 Edward Street. The walk is free and open to everyone, with tea and snacks for all finishers. To sign up, please contact Imran on 07988 372492.<\/p>\n
Yaseen is now counting down the days to the 13.1-mile race, which is his first half marathon. \u201cI\u2019m so excited, not least because I have massively exceeded my fundraising target of \u00a3100 with a staggering \u00a33,344.90 so far!\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you to everyone involved in supporting this worthy cause, especially my #TeamOrange family and our sponsors for the race, MesmerEyez.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
To donate to Yaseen\u2019s fundraising, visit: http:\/\/www.justgiving.com\/yas-nuneaton<\/a> or text YASS85 \u00a3XX to 70070.<\/p>\n