A group of six Oldham men and women are training in preparation for the Manchester half-marathon in October when they will run 22km through the city.
The team includes: Reshma Sultana, Faiza Begum, Shanella Akhtar, Miriam Majeed, Milad Sarwar, and Shumel Ahmed.
They say the campaign is about more than taking part in a sporting event. They want their efforts to inspire people across the country to step out of their comfort zones and see what can be achieved when there is a will to make change.
Reshma said: “For us, this is about breaking barriers. People may not expect us to take on something like this, but that’s exactly why we’re doing it – to show what’s possible.”
They are raising money for an eye camp in Bangladesh through Nessa’s Trust, a charity started by Milad Sarwar. The project will provide free cataract and vision-restoring surgeries for people living in poverty, many who have lived with preventable blindness for years.
In rural Bangladesh, the cost of treatment puts surgery out of reach for families who are already struggling, leaving loved ones unable to work, study, or live independently.
All funds raised will go directly to hospitals in Bangladesh to cover the cost of treatment. Patients will be identified from villages, taken to hospital, and supported through their operations and recovery by doctors and nurses.
Miriam, who works in a primary school, said she hopes her efforts will inspire her pupils as much as the wider community: “I always tell my students to believe in themselves and not to be afraid of challenges. By doing this run, I want to set an example for them – to show that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things when they try.”
Milad, who is a campaigner, said: “We want people to understand this isn’t just about running. It’s about showing that if you put passion and purpose together, you can achieve something meaningful – both for yourself and for others.”
The team have set themselves a target of £1,000, but they are determined to raise more. For them, the Manchester half marathon is not the end goal – it’s just the beginning. They hope their efforts will restore sight to those who need it most and inspire others to take on challenges of their own. Above all, they want their journey to show what can happen when people come together for a cause.
https://gofund.me/fa555e18
