Christmas came early for 16 local charities last week as they each took a share of £20,000 raised through this year’s Charity Walk for Peace.
The annual fund raiser is organised in partnership between East Hampshire District Council, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Elder Association and the Whitehill & Bordon Community Trust.
Held in May, more than 250 walkers stepped out along a 5K route through the Hogmoor Inclosure and around the town.
The charities that took part in the day were invited back to our offices at Penns Place on Wednesday 14 December to receive £1,250 each to put towards their community work.
Cllr Julie Butler, EHDC’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Community Integration, said: “Sixteen charities and 250 walkers makes this the biggest walk we have ever done, so it is fantastic that we have managed to raise £20,000 to share between these great causes.
“I am so proud to have worked alongside the Ahmadiyya Muslim Elder Association on the project for the last few years. They are so hard-working but they are so humble.
“Day in day out they are out there raising money for charities and making lives better for people that live in our communities.”
Zakariyya Choudry, Regional President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association, said: "Our annual charity walk was established to help raise money for charities and are held throughout the country by our branches in the UK.
"Charity is one of five pillars of the Islamic faith and helping our neighbours and anyone in need is an essential part of our practice as Muslims. We are delighted that this year we have raised the highest total to date thanks to the generosity of our donors."
Sian Manning, of the Whitehill & Bordon Community Trust, said: “The WBCT felt hugely privileged to take part in the Charity Walk for Peace, held at the Hogmoor Inclosure, but also to be included in the event planning and management on the day.
“Our charity's mission and goals sit very well alongside those of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association. We focus on working in the community for the community irrespective of faith, ethnicity or age. We look to build understanding, goodwill and integration across our diverse community.
“We have decided to use the donation we have received to support the Ahmadiyya ladies with their desire to plant 200 trees locally.
“We are very much looking forward to being a part of the charity walk for peace in 2023 and further strengthening our relationship with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association.”
The 16 charities to benefit were:
Attenborough Explorer Scout Unit (Clanfield), The Deadwater Valley Trust, Age Concern Petersfield, Alton Climate Action Network, Havant & East Hants Mind, Harlequins Gymnastics, The Vokes Trust, HomeStart Hampshire, The Happy Healing Hut, Whitehill & Bordon Community Trust, Disability Challengers, Rural Refugee Network, The Kingsley Organisation, Dementia Friends Petersfield, Artscape, The Petersfield School