A former maths teacher from Oldham will be leading an ‘epic trek’ to raise money for struggling flood victims in Pakistan. Afruz Miah BEM has arranged the 30-mile walk from Oldham to Bradford to help families who have 'lost everything'.
More than a thousand people have died following the devastating monsoons and melting ice glaciers which wiped out villages. Afruz will be joined by locals who, like him, have family in Pakistan whose lives have been decimated by the floods.
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Afruz, of Oldham, told the MEN: "They’ve lost everything. People are struggling because it was one of those things that was just unexpected.
"Everyone is doing their bit but they need food, medical aid and most importantly temporary accommodation. Villages have been wiped away and some places look like war zones because of the damage done by the water.
"They’ve lost their the homes and transportation." With support from the community, Oldham Council and local businesses, Afruz will be going on the walk with other volunteers on 25 September.
More than 20 people have already signed up to the 'Unity Treck'. A support vehicle will be on hand every 10 miles, to help anyone who can longer complete the journey. Afruz says they are looking to raise up to £50,000.
He added: “We want to bring people together from all faiths and backgrounds. It’s a humanitarian effort so we need to be united.
“Just imagine if we were the receivers. How would we feel and what would we expect people to do. Sometimes you have to empathise and ask, ‘if I was in that situation what kind of help would I need?"
Nicknamed Oldham's 'Running Man', Afruz is known for his epic charity runs. Earlier this year, he was honoured with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his charity work in Greater Manchester and around the world.
You can donate to GRT's fundraising page here. Those wanting to join Afruz on the Unity Epic Trek can apply here.
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