Seasoned volunteer, Bushra Sheikh raises £3,200 for #Feed100.

We’ve only just entered the Holy Month, and already IKCA volunteers are raking in the donations to ensure Shaukat Khanum Hospital (SKMCH) patients are kept fed throughout Ramadan.

“I wanted the money to be deposited before the start of Ramadan,” says Bushra, “so that all those who made the intention to feed patients should have their money reach the hospital beforehand. ” At this rate, her initial target of getting the daily meals of 25 patients sponsored for the month (at £100 per patient), looks like it could get doubled.

Based in Yorkshire, Bushra Sheikh is a civil servant working with the Ministry of Justice. Her very first fundraising initiative for IKCA was in the mid 90s, when Imran Khan first launched the global campaign to build Shaukat Khanum Hospital (SKMCH) in Lahore.

“At the time, I had no idea how to raise money” Bushra recalls, “The IKCA office was in London and communication with the administrator was difficult. All I knew was that I needed to play my part in this very worthy cause: so that Pakistan would get a specialised caner hospital where the poor could receive treatment with dignity.”

So Bushra took a pledge to not eat or drink for 24 hours. At the end of her fast, she was able to raise £450 towards the hospital, as well as a great deal of awareness about cancer and the plight of the poor in Pakistan. Since then, Bushra has dedicated her life to charity work, and endeavoured to spread the philanthropic spirit amongst friends and family.

“I have since raised a lot of money through organising social events like coffee mornings and small scale charity dinners. I’ve also taken part in numerous 5k walks and runs; telethons; as well as bucket collections and leaflet distributions outside shopping centres.” When asked how much she’s raised for IKCA in 20 years of dedicated volunteer work, she can’t say. “I’ve never kept a record,” is her response. “But I know that in the last 12 months, I’ve raised around £10,000 –Alhamdulillah. It was all possible with the will and help of Allah (swt).”

In recognition of her work and her philanthropic endeavours in aid of several charities (including Cancer Research UK), Bushra was awarded an MBE not long ago. The mother of two is grateful for the support of her loving husband and children, who have always stood by her efforts.

“I strongly encourage people to be become volunteers with IKCA and take part in this very worthwhile cause. Saving the life of one human being is like saving the whole of humanity. I truly believe in this and that’s why I do what I do.” Thanks to Bushra’s efforts, 32 patients at SKMCH will receive daily nutritious meals throughout the month.

Do you want to take part in the #Feed100 Iftar challenge this Ramadan? Contact Us Now to receive information and promotional material to help make your #Feed100 iftar a success.

Please support our Feed a Patient appeal today and help a patient eat back at cancer, one meal at a time. Please spread the word and support our appeal with the hashtags: #Feed100 and #onemealatatime.