Muslim charity comes to aid of flood victims in deluged Doncaster village

Volunteers from the Al-Khair Foundation have spent the last week distributing vitally needed sandwiches, hot drinks and hygiene packs in Fishlake.

They came from the foundation's Bolton branch to help more than 200 victims and will carry on their efforts on a daily basis until they are no longer needed.

The mercy mission focused on Fishlake Church, a local Christian church, and the Hare and Hounds pub, both key gathering points for victims who have lost their homes.

The aid drop followed an initial visit to assess the needs of the flood victims.

AKF’s Imran Musa said: “The situation is very severe. The army are also on the ground. They are in urgent need of items and AKF will be rushing in essentials such as hot food, pillows, duvets, tinned food, wellies, waders and cleaning equipment.”

“We will carry on this work until the situation stabilises and returns to normal. We are mobilising volunteers from across the country. One priority is to help clean up the water once it starts to recede. Rest assured, we will be at the heart of all relief work for this community."Volunteers handed out food at the Hare and Hounds pub, which has become a refuge from the floods.Landlord Scott Godfrey explained: "We’re on higher ground at the pub so we’ve been a bit of the base for the victims. Al-Khair’s support has been absolutely fantastic.

“We can’t thank them enough; they are bringing hope and joy to those who need it most.”

Ruth Pridham, secretary at the local church, said: “We’ve just been overwhelmed by the help we’ve received from Al-Khair Foundation; it means so much to us.”

All the other branches of the charity: Croydon, Leicester, Birmingham, Bradford and Oldham are joining in supporting the emergency response team.

AKF’s Musa added; “When we arrived, everyone was ecstatic to see us, many flood victims even had tears in their eyes. We want to send a positive message to other Muslim charities to follow in our footsteps.

“Together we can make a difference.”