Two British Muslims completed the 200-mile Ramadan walk from Oldham to London to raise funds for homes in Bangladesh.
They walked nearly 200 miles from Oldham in Greater Manchester to London while fasting to raise money for families living in extreme poverty in Bangladesh.
British Bangladeshi Milad Sarwar, founder of ASIANUKTV and the charity Nessa’s Trust, was joined by his close friend Adam Khan, a British Afghan, on the seven day journey which began in Oldham and ended in East London.
Walking during Ramadan meant the pair completed the journey without food or water during daylight hours. Each day they covered long distances across towns and cities, pushing through exhaustion, sore muscles and blistered feet, stopping only to pray, break their fast and rest before continuing again the following day.
The challenge was organised to raise funds to build homes for families in Bangladesh who are living in unsafe shelters and extreme poverty. Through Nessa’s Trust, which Milad founded in honour of his grandmother, homes have been built for vulnerable families since 2019 alongside other humanitarian projects including eye camps, flood appeals and water well installations.
Milad Sarwar said the experience was one of the toughest challenges he has ever taken on.
“Walking nearly 200 miles while fasting was incredibly difficult. There were moments when our bodies were exhausted and we wondered how we would continue. But every time it got tough we reminded ourselves why we were doing it. This walk was about helping families who have nothing and giving them a safe place to live.”
Adam Khan said supporting the cause was something he felt strongly about.
“Charity is charity. It does not matter where people are from. I have grown up around the Bangladeshi community and have huge respect and love for them. If this walk can help change even one family’s life then every mile was worth it.”
Along the route the pair received support from members of the public, local businesses and well wishers who stopped to encourage them. Their journey also gained attention online with many people following their progress and donating to the cause.
After seven days of walking the pair arrived in East London where supporters welcomed them at Altab Ali Park, home to the Shahid Minar monument which commemorates the Bengali language movement.
So far the campaign has raised more than £8,500, with the pair hoping to raise even more in the coming weeks to continue building homes for families who desperately need them.
Milad said although the walk has finished, the mission continues.
“We may have reached London, but the real goal is building as many homes as possible for families living in poverty. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us so far and we hope people will continue donating so we can keep this work going.”
