Rochdale councillors donate to local causes

Spotland and Falinge ward councillors Faisal Rana and his wife, Iram Faisal, have donated hundreds of pounds to Cancer Research UK this month, as well as giving blankets and clothing to the Rochdale AFC Military Veterans.

The councillors presented an £800 cheque to Jack Cole, the Rochdale Trading Area Manager of Cancer Research UK after raising money from family, friends and customers of their retailing business.

Mr Cole said: “All charities of every size have been impacted due to the pandemic and donations have dropped by millions of pounds nationwide. 

“Thankfully since Covid restrictions were lifted, donations are now almost back to pre-pandemic levels. Gifts like this mean there’s great hope for the future.”

Councillor Rana has been donating to the cause since 2013, after his brother, a 42-year-old father of three, died of bowel cancer. Since then, he has raised over £30,000 for Cancer Research UK.

He said: “I started fundraising when my brother died of bowel cancer. Unfortunately, he had been misdiagnosed by the system and when we found out it was too late.”

Councillor Iram added: “We are so glad that together we are all able to play a part in funding research which will hopefully save lives in the future.

“Especially at this time of year with Christmas, we can’t help feeling positive about the future. There is hope if we can keep pulling together and going forwards.”

 

 

Last month, the councillors also donated blankets, warm undergarments and thermal socks – given free by manufacturing friends of the couple – to Rochdale AFC’s Military Veterans team, following their organised rough sleep.

This charity event was organised by the Rochdale AFC’s Military Veterans team along with Rochdale AFC Community Trust, which is raising funds for the trust and Helping Homeless Veterans UK.
 

Read more: Volunteers raise £5,000 after swapping warm beds for a sleeping bag outsidePublished: 23 November 2021

The military veterans’ team was set up two years ago by Adam Trennery, who left the Royal Navy in 2016. He said helping veterans who are homeless is “something that’s close to my heart.”

He said: “Since I founded the Rochdale AFC Military Veterans in 2019 it has continued to progress. We run it as a family. The gifts Faisal and Iram are handing over are greatly appreciated - especially at this time of year.”  

Councillor Rana added: “Homelessness among veterans is a significant, though perhaps hidden, problem. I am very happy that myself and Iram have been able to broker these garments to help unfortunate veterans survive the winter.”

Iram added: “The Rochdale AFC Community Trust and Military Veterans team are integral to the area that I represent. Faisal and I like to pride ourselves on supporting the community and so we are glad we have been able to offer these gifts at this time when temperatures are set to plunge.”