Community takes on three peaks to raise thousands for Islamic Community Centre project

More than 30 members of the Maidenhead Mosque community took on the challenge of climbing three peaks in Yorkshire as part of a fundraiser.

A total of 36 members took on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge on Saturday, August 26, tackling three of the region’s best-known peaks – Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in a 25-mile circular route.

The team battled the slopes and trails to take on the peaks and conquer the challenge, which they were undertaking to raise money to go towards the completion of a new Islamic Community Centre next to Maidenhead Mosque.

Work is currently underway on building the new centre; however, funds still need to be raised towards the project.

The team smashed their original fundraising target of £25,000, amassing a total of more than £39,000 in donations.

Event organiser Shafiq Khan, said: “It was open to anybody to join.

“You didn’t have to be restricted to a faith, anybody was welcome over a certain age, I think we said 16 at the time.

“In the end it was just local folk from various [areas] in Maidenhead

“I think everybody who did walk was part of the Maidenhead Mosque community, but the significant donors we had were so wide and far ranging, it was amazing.

Reflecting on completing the challenge, Shafiq added: “I really felt good about it actually.

“We had a lot of people helping [with] organisation, it wasn’t just myself. We had a core committee who helped.”

Shafiq said participants were given three months' notice of the challenge prior to setting off.

Of the money raised, he added: “That’s an insane amount from the community, not just the Muslim community. Everyone really went for it.

“[It’s] incredible. We thought [£25,000] was a massive stretch but this was far greater.”

For more information about the project and to view the fundraiser, visit: https://journeytojannah.org.uk/