Bradford runner smashes fundraising goal

Raising over £84,000 for families in Africa, local humanitarian and community activist Nazim Ali completed his 12th Annual Ramadan 10K Run in the heart of Bradford, this year’s designated UK City of Culture, while fasting for nearly 16 hours.

The annual challenge is not just a feat of endurance, but a powerful fundraising campaign for some of the world’s most vulnerable.

The route began on Sunday 23rd March at 10 a.m., passing through Frizinghall, Shipley, Saltaire, Cottingley, and Bingley, and concluded at the iconic Lister Park.

Despite recent illness, a persistent hamstring strain, and a foot injury, Mr. Ali completed the run non-stop in 1 hour, 10 minutes, and 21 seconds, although he ended up covering 11.3 kilometres, more than the standard 10K distance.

This year’s run is supporting the Nazim Ali Foundation, in partnership with Green Crescent Aid UK, to raise funds for the Burundi New Homes Project.

The campaign aims to construct 25 new homes for families living in extreme poverty in Burundi, East Africa. These families – many of whom are widows, orphans, elderly, or disabled – currently live in fragile, makeshift shelters that offer little protection from harsh weather.

Each two-room home, complete with a kitchen and bathroom, costs just £2,200, with Zakat eligibility and a 100% donation policy. Thanks to widespread support, Nazim has smashed his £55,000 target, raising over £84,000, enough to build more than 38 homes.

Nazim AKA ‘The Ramadan Runner’ said: “I was running on empty, injured, fasting, and tired, but I couldn’t let these families down. There’s a long way to go, but we’re changing lives one home at a time.”

Nazim Ali is no stranger to charity. Over the last 13 years, he has raised a whopping £1 million for causes at home and abroad. His previous Ramadan 10K runs alone have raised over £426,000, funding everything from house-building in Malawi, Uganda, Syria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, to live goat distributions, school upgrades, and medical aid.

When not fundraising, Nazim works full-time as a Careers Adviser in three inner-city schools, and leads multiple community initiatives through the Nazim Ali Foundation. 

These include the Khidma Community Kitchen, which provides weekly hot meals to the homeless and vulnerable in Bradford, and the Creating Smiles Gifts Initiative, through which he has personally visited children’s wards over 45 times to distribute toys and gifts.

He added: “I always say: my charity work is powered by the people. It’s the donors, the supporters, the volunteers – this is a collective mission. And together, we’re making real, lasting change.”

In celebration of Eid-al-Fitr, the Nazim Ali Foundation donated over 30 gifts to Airedale Hospital’s Children’s Ward. This marks the 12th Annual ‘Creating Smiles Gifts Initiative, which aims to bring joy to poorly children during their hospital stays.

Nazim Ali, inspired by the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), has been running this initiative for 12 years, with support from Saveco Cash & Carry and his brother Yasir Ali. The gifts, including cuddly toys and play sets, are meant to uplift the spirits of children aged 0 to 16.
Nazim, who personally understands the impact of hospital stays from his childhood battle with TB, has distributed thousands of pounds worth of gifts to hospitals over the years. This year’s donation brings the total to 46 hospital visits.

Shiraz and Fairaz Ahmed, managing directors of Saveco Cash & Carry, expressed their joy in supporting the initiative, which aligns with their corporate social responsibility efforts.