Fundraising event raises over £40,000

An evening of speeches, nasheeds and a charity auction was held at the European Islamic centre in Oldham.

The aim of the event was to honour the two men who ran 10km a day every day for a year.

Afruz Miah, 51, the ‘Running Man’ and Monwar Hussain, 40, the ‘Marathon Man’, completed their year-long feat on December 31 and raised over £120,000 for Gaza. 

The fundraiser was very well attended as there were about 350 people who enjoyed the celebrations.

The organisers initially expected 250 people.

The world-famous nasheed artist, Omar Esa, was also present, and the evening ended with a three-course-meal.

Jewellery went up for bidding in the auction which raised £17,000.

Supporters and sponsors of the campaign were presented with gifts and certificates by the duo.

The festivities were organised by the Global Relief Trust North region team lead by Afruz.

GRT is a charity which works in 12 impoverished countries including Pakistan and Yemen.

Monwar said: "It's good that my body is getting much needed rest after a year of running, but I already miss it.

"I miss the schedule, the discipline and the active lifestyle I had throughout the campaign.

“Talking to a room full of people isn't something I'm used to.

"I was nervous – my legs were shaking a bit.  

“Maybe it was the pre-speech anxiety or maybe it was the 25km run I did in the morning.

"Either way, I'm now focusing on training for the iconic London Marathon.”

Afruz added: “Miles4humanity will now support the people of Syria - after 13 years of brutality, violence and oppression.

"I just came back from there a few days ago and saw the situation and the rebuilding process begin. 

“I was fortunate enough to run in landmark places in Homs and Damascus.

“We have managed to raise over £150,000.

"The total raised on the night was approximately £40,000, which includes pledges and funds raised from over 40 business sponsors and stalls that donated 100 percent of their sales that evening.

“We were overwhelmed by the attendance and support.

"Someone came all the way from Glasgow, and drove back after the event.

"We had people joining us from Tyneside, Leicester, Birmingham and even London.

“Once again our biggest supporters are our families as they have also been with us on this journey which would have been impossible without their support.”

Atiq Rahman, Head of Development at GRT, added: “The challenge Afruz Miah and Monwar Hussain set out to do was something I believed at the time could not be achieved. 

“Fast forward to today and they didn’t just run for 366 days - they actually ran 386 days consecutively.

"It is an achievement that simply cannot be matched. I am so proud of them both."

Atiq added: “They raised immense awareness for the people of Gaza.

"The support they received from the community, the many businesses who sponsored the runs as well as the hundreds of supporters who joined them shows how much people value their efforts.

“What’s the next challenge?

"Well I am not sure, but I wouldn’t put anything past them.

"I fear joking in front of them because I think they will take it seriously, but I know something crazy will happen in 2025.”

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