Oldham girl, 10, walking 50km for charity in honour of late grandad

A 10-year-old girl from Oldham is walking 50 kilometres for charity in honour of her late grandad.

Every day, Hannah Miah is walking around seven or eight kilometres to fundraise for Muslim Charity ‘s campaign to help street children in Bangladesh.

According to the U.N., there are an estimated 600,000 street children in Bangladesh, often abandoned or trafficked, who find themselves running away from violence and facing the dangers and perils of street life.

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For over six years now, Muslim Charity has been rescuing street children, so far, having saved over 10,000 children and reunited hundreds of lost children with families. Inspired by the fundraising efforts of her late grandad, Hannah will walk from Oldham to her grandad’s grave in Rawtenstall in Lancashire.

In May, she will also be climbing Mount Snowdon in Wales with her family. This is the second year that Hannah has taken on a walking challenge for the charity- last year, she raised £15,620, which went towards building two shelters for Bangladeshi street children.

Hannah, who was awarded a ‘Young Achievers’ award at the British Muslim Awards last month, said: “I’m really enjoying it. I like walking with my family. I have been fasting on some of my walks so far.

“All the money goes to the str eet children in Bangladesh. I am also going to walk up Mount Snowdon with my cousins, aunties and uncles. I am excited for that.”

Hannah is not the first in her family to be honoured with an award- her dad, civil servant and football tournament organiser Jewel Miah, was awarded an MBE in 2016 for voluntary services to British-Bengali football.

Jewel, 45, told the M.E.N.: “Hannah was sat next to me when I watched a video about street children in Bangladesh and she found it upsetting. She wanted to do something about it.

“Just after Hannah’s first charity campaign last year, in July, Hannah’s grandad passed away. He was really, really proud of her.

“My father-in-law was well known in Rawtenstall for being active in the community. He was passionate about raising funds for schools in Bangladesh. He wanted to join Hannah’s next charity campaign.

“Hannah was very close to her grandad and he was an inspiration and mentor to her. He always talked to my daughters about the importance of charity work. It’s a shame he isn’t around now because he would be even more proud.”

Additionally, Jewel shared how Hannah’s walking challenge has become a family affair.

The dad-of-three continued: ” Last year, my second daughter sold sweets and raised about £600, which contributed to Hannah’s grand total. My niece is also selling cakes, so it’s a collective effort.

“Walking has really bonded us as a family. When you get that time with your children, it’s nice. I’ve got relatives in America who have been donating and supporting the campaign, so everyone feels a part of it.”

So far, Hannah has raised £1,478, thanks to the generosity of friends, relatives and the community of Oldham. Lots of donations are coming in due to it being the month of Ramadan, when it is obligatory for Muslims to give to charity.

Jewel added: “The best thing is the support from the community. They are genuinely happy for Hannah and the money is going to a good cause.

“I’m confident that we will raise more money, especially the last ten days of Ramadan. Ramadan is a blessed month and a time to remember and reflect.

“Doing this walk, it makes you realise the struggles of those less fortunate. When I walk with Hannah and we are fasting, it helps her understand, that’s what the street children in Bangladesh are experiencing. They have no food and they’re walking on the streets with nowhere to go.”

To donate to Hannah’s fundraiser, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hannahstreetchildren2022.

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