Too Close to Home
Too Close to Home?
When you think of charity appeals and campaigns, the chances are that emergency disaster relief or food and water appeals for people in need across the world will initially come to mind. While appeals like these are a big part of what we do, here at Islamic Help, we are committed to helping vulnerable people no matter where they are in the world.
Charity in Islam knows no boundaries; it is equally important to help your brothers and sisters in need whether they are in your local community or on the other side of the world.
So, join us and take just a moment of your time to consider what you can to do help the people close to home in your local community. Whether it is fundraising, volunteering your time or simply raising awareness for a good cause you care deeply about, these simple acts of kindness and generosity can go a long way towards improving the lives of people in need right on your very own doorstep.
We are always looking out for new ways to contribute to the growth and development of local communities here in the UK, committing ourselves to provide aid, support and relief to those in need. Here are just a few of our current UK-based projects and appeals:
UK Food Aid
It isn’t just those suffering from the devastating effects of conflict and natural disasters that are in need of our support and assistance – sometimes, those close to home also need our aid. We are always looking for new ways to serve the local community, spreading our own good fortune among some of the most vulnerable people on our own doorstep.
Our UK Food Aid campaign puts us at the forefront, actively working to support those most in need. Thanks to your generous support, we are able to provide essential food packages to local residents. Containing everyday essentials like tea, sugar and cereal as well as other non-perishable items like chocolate, this assistance really can change the lives of the people who receive it.
In addition, many of our UK food packages go to elderly residents in our local communities, many of whom are isolated, vulnerable, and reliant upon us for the essentials they need for daily life. We are committed to showing the elderly that they are valued members of our society and community; delivering food aid and care packages gives us the perfect opportunity to reassure them that they have not been forgotten.
Helping the Homeless
Although it is difficult to calculate accurate figures of homelessness for a wide variety of reasons, it is estimated that over 4,500 individuals could be sleeping on the UK’s streets on any given night of the year. In itself, that is an astounding statistic, but when you count the fact that many homeless people will try to hide away in search of shelter and will frequently move around, it soon becomes apparent that the real figure could actually be much higher.
Here at Islamic Help, we recognise the struggles and challenges that the homeless face each and every day, often just to survive. Basic amenities like warm food, winter clothing, blankets and shelter that we can all too easily take for granted are often a luxury for many people faced with homelessness, making them vulnerable to threats including poor weather, illness and malnutrition.
In 2009, 3 million people in the UK were suffering from malnutrition. With the generous assistance of our supporters, we can provide the homeless with nutritious food, warm clothing and temporary shelters to stave off the worst of the winter weather. As we approach the coldest months of the year once more, we are asking for your help once more to enable us to reach out to as many vulnerable people as we possibly can.
Clean-Up Projects
Local charities such as the dedicated team here at Islamic Help are continually working to help and support communities across the UK. However, we understand that there are many more ways in which you can give to charity and offer your support than simply through monetary donations. Giving your time, often through the act of volunteering, is a wonderful way to help make a difference in your local community. After all, charity is all about doing what you can to make the world a fairer, more equal and positive place, which is why no donation (whether time, money or anything else) is ever less rewarding than any other.
Islamic Help work with a dedicated team of committed, devoted volunteers who regularly donate their time to benefit their local communities. One of the main ways that our volunteers work with us is by participating in clean-up projects to remove litter and dirt from the landscape, creating an end result of a much more positive, pleasing area. The work we do alongside our volunteers allows us to impact the community on a more personal level, performing tasks that we know will actively improve the lives of residents as well as helping the environment and local area.
It can be all too easy to simply turn away from someone in need. Instead, remember your duty and give what you can to support someone less fortunate than yourself. Charity in Islam is all about regular giving and leading a more generous, kind-hearted life, so take the opportunity to really make a difference to vulnerable people in your local community this winter.
If you are able to do so, please consider donating to support our essential work - both close to home and further afield. Join together with Islamic Help; commit to a brighter future and make a real difference today.
