A FUNDRAISER dubbed Oldham’s ‘Running Man’ has completed his latest epic challenge by reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. 

Afruz Miah, 49, was recently awarded a BEM by the Queen for services to charity and is also a finalist at the British Muslim Awards which celebrates the achievements and contributions of inspirational UK Muslims.

Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest single free- standing mountain above sea level at 5,695 metres.

The ex-maths tutor said: “I feel good and honoured that I was able to complete the gruelling climb and to conquer Kilimanjaro, it was relatively easy for me to complete the task knowing that the funds raised will save lives. 

“I campaign for people who face poverty on a daily basis. It made me empathise and sympathise with the poor and destitute all over the world.

“The hardest day of the climb was the final day when we reached the summit. We had a midnight start and had to climb seven or eight hours and then we had to climb back down. 

“The experience was made all the more difficult as I was away from family in an unfamiliar place. There were some members of the team who had to drop out due to oxygen levels.”

The Oldham Times:

A few years ago, Afruz suffered a health scare after developing hypertension and decided to take up running for his health. Through his running for charity he has raised nearly £500,000.

He added: “I realised that if you do things sincerely, Allah makes things happen for you. We don’t do any kind of event for any kind of reward or award. We do it for those that need it the most.”

“Islam was spread due to the manners and conduct of individuals. We hope our philanthropy will paint a good picture of Muslims in the UK and about Islam too and hopefully bring communities together.” He added.

The British Muslim Awards will be held on February 27 at the Muslim Heritage centre in Manchester attended by celebrities such as footballer Hamzah Choudhury.

The next challenge Afruz is preparing for will be the Ramadan 313 challenge when he will again run from Oldham to London but via a different route this year. The route will take him through many cities such as Manchester, Birmingham and Coventry.

Afruz collaborates with Global Relief Trust (GRT) a UK based charity which works in eight countries including Yemen, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Mahmooda Khatun from GRT said: “Alongside his team Afruz has raised nearly £100,000 from their Kilimanjaro challenge, thanks to donors. GRT will provide much needed support to some of the most vulnerable communities in the world.”

After his return to the UK, Afruz has been told by his doctor that he has had a chest infection for the past ten days and he was shocked that he managed to climb to the summit. From a target of £100,000 Afruz and his team have raised £70,000 in total. His personal target is £10,000 of which £7,000 has been raised.