Oldham school and mosque raise money for earthquake appeal

Oasis Academy Clarksfield and Oasis Academy Leesbrook have worked with Bilal Jamia Masjid through the Oasis Oldham Community Hub to raise more than £900 as part of an appeal to help those affected by the earthquake.

Activities on offer at Oasis Academy Clarksfield included a non-uniform day, on Friday, February 24, where students were asked to bring a £1 donation, and two bake sales, on February 24 and Thursday, March 2.

Graphic showing maps of Turkey earthquakes (Image: PA)

Oasis Academy Leesbrook also raised money, and had a collection for items to send to the affected areas, which were sent over in a container to Turkey in conjunction with another mosque, Ross Street Masjid.

Imam Fazail Ahmed Sialvi, from Bilal Jamia Masjid, will be flying out to Turkey himself to help out.

Bilal Jamia Masjid secretary Wasim Iqbal said: “Our Imam is going to be flying out in March personally. We’ve got some contacts in the area, and he’s been there previously so he wants to go there himself to help out.

“The mosque and the school have good links, the children come to the mosque as well and they were quite passionate about it.

“The schools are working with the mosque, it was important show that we’re working together when it comes to education, charity, or a disaster – we want to show a united front.”

Wasim added: “We’re thankful to both the schools and Oasis Hub, thanks to the parents, children, and families for supporting the cause, for coming out and supporting the mosque, we’re thankful to everybody who’s been supporting us, it’s nice to be working together to benefit humanity, we want to continue to work together to help people.”

Left to right: Wasim Iqbal (Secretary Bilal Jamia Mosque), Imam Hafiz Tahir (Head Imam at Bilal Jamia Mosque), Chris O'Donnell (Oasis Hub Leader) (Image: Bilal Jamia Mosque)

Oasis Academy Clarksfield’s Hub Leader, Erica Philburn, said: “I am working to develop the relationship between school and the community to really enhance community links. We feel deep sympathy towards the families in Turkey and Syria who have lost their homes and loved ones, and those affected by the disaster here in the U.K.

“We hope our contribution aids reaching those who desperately need it.”

Deputy Principal of Oasis Academy Clarksfield, Rebecca Morrish, commented: “As a school we see the importance in helping others. Miss Philburn as our Hub lead at the Academy organised a number of fundraisers to raise as much money as we could as a school.

“We are really keen on working with the community and Bilal Jamia Masjid Mosque, particularly to fundraise for something as significant as the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, so that we can make a difference together.”