EFDN members team up with Islamic Relief UK to support vulnerable families

EFDN members team up with Islamic Relief UK to support vulnerable families

Last week, Islamic Relief UK teamed up with Liverpool FC, Aston Villa Foundation and Celtic FC Foundation to help some of the most vulnerable families in Liverpool, Birmingham and Scotland. With poverty levels in the UK increasing, Islamic Relief UK is distributing food parcels across the country with different partners.

Aston Villa Foundation

On Tuesday, January 25, Islamic Relief UK partnered with Aston Villa Foundation to distribute 500 essential food packs to vulnerable people including the homeless, asylum seekers, refugees and women who have suffered domestic abuse.

Birmingham has seen a stark rise in families needing financial assistance and help with food. More than 100,000 children in the city are growing up in poverty according to academics at Loughborough University for End Child Poverty. Many people have been hit hard by the pandemic, including, low-income families, those suffering from domestic abuse, the homeless, asylum seekers and refugees who were already struggling to feed themselves and many prioritising eating or heating as they struggle to pay their bills. The food packs contained over 30 items including, rice, pasta, oil, cornflakes, and tinned vegetables alongside sanitary products such as shampoo, shower gel, sanitary towels and more.

Jennifer Tullett, Neighbourhood Engagement Officer for Aston Villa Foundation said:

“We are really excited to be working with Islamic Relief UK again on such a vital initiative. Last year, we were able to provide food parcels to local families who are living with food poverty. Many are still suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic and even a food parcel can go a long way.”

Tufail Hussain, Director of Islamic Relief UK said:

“We are proud to be working with Aston Villa FC to reach out to some of the most vulnerable in Birmingham. […] The pandemic has devastated families’ lives and many have been struggling financially. People have lost their jobs during the pandemic and families have had to resort to food banks. As the cost of living increases, paying for just the essentials such as food and warmth can be a desperate challenge. […] This winter, the work of Aston Villa FC will make a huge difference for many families and we thank Aston Villa FC for their amazing efforts to help those in need.”

Celtic FC Foundation

On Wednesday 26 January, Islamic Relief UK partnered with Celtic FC Foundation to distribute 500 essential food packs to vulnerable people including the homeless, asylum seekers, refugees, and women who have suffered domestic abuse. Scotland has seen a stark rise in families needing financial assistance and help with food. According to the poverty and inequality commission, one in four children in Scotland (24%) and one in five working-age people (19%) are living in poverty. Many people have been hit hard by the pandemic, including low-income families, those suffering from domestic abuse, the homeless, asylum seekers and refugees who were already struggling to feed themselves, and many prioritising eating or heating as they struggle to pay their bills. The food packs contained 21 items including, rice, pasta, vegetables, alongside shower gel.

Tony Hamilton, Celtic FC Foundation Chief Executive, said:

“Islamic Relief UK is a great partner for us to have and working together with them means we can better serve those in our communities who need assistance. We’re very grateful to them and to our partners at the Foodbank and the volunteers who have given up their own time to pack bags and distribute food.”

Nadeem Baqir, Regional Community Fundraising Manager, Islamic Relief UK said: 

“We are proud to be working side by side with Celtic FC Foundation to reach out to some of the most vulnerable people in Scotland. […] The spirit of Celtic FC, historically from the beginning has been about helping people in need and strengthening the community. The pandemic has devastated families’ lives, people have lost their jobs and many are resorting to food banks. The cost of living is also having a heavy toll on people as they struggle to pay for just the essentials such as food and warmth. […] This winter, the work of Celtic FC Foundation will make a huge difference for many families and we thank them for their amazing efforts to help those in need.”

LFC Foundation

On Thursday 27 January, Islamic Relief UK partnered with LFC Foundation and the Liverpool Mosque Regions Network (LRM) to distribute 500 essential food packs to vulnerable people including the homeless, asylum seekers, refugees and women who have suffered domestic abuse. Liverpool has seen a stark rise in families needing financial assistance and help with food. Across the five parliamentary constituencies in the city, there is a total of 31,739 children deemed to be growing up in poverty – with figures rising.

Many people have also been hit hard by the pandemic, including, low-income families, those suffering from domestic abuse, the homeless, asylum seekers and refugees who were already struggling to feed themselves and many prioritising eating or heating as they struggle to pay their bills. To help some of the most vulnerable, boxes were packed with essentials at by LFC staff at Anfield, before delivery alongside LRM to ten locations across the city. The food packs contained 17 items including, halal chicken, rice, pasta, eggs, beans, butter and bread and were distributed alongside sanitary products such as shampoo, toothpaste, hand wash, shower gel and more.

In December, as part of LFC’s Operation Christmas Magic, LFC Foundation and Liverpool Mosque Regions Network (LRM) collaborated to provide over 400 festive food parcels, which supported 1,700 vulnerable people.

Matt Parish, Chief Executive at LFC Foundation, said:

“It’s great to have the opportunity to work with Islamic Relief again on providing essential support to those who need it most in our city. […] We are living in challenging times, and we know that many local people and families are struggling financially and even paying for the basics is difficult. We hope to be able to alleviate some of the strain in part by providing enough food for families experiencing food poverty this winter. […] By working together, we aim to reach more people in need to make a difference.”

Tufail Hussain, Director of Islamic Relief UK said:

“We are proud to be working with LFC foundation who are reaching out to help the most vulnerable in the community. […] The pandemic has devastated families’ lives and many have been struggling financially. Many have lost their jobs and as the cost of living increases, paying for just the essentials such as food and warmth can be a desperate challenge. […] The work of LFC Foundation will make a huge difference to many people during the winter months and we thank the foundation for their amazing efforts to help those in need.”