Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Show of kindness
Maggie’s benefits from fun-filled open day
Kind- hearted organisers and guests at the third annual Community Connections extravaganza dug deep to collect a four-figure sum for two hugely worthwhile causes.
A total of £800 for the Maggie’s Centre at Monklands Hospital was raised, with £250 also going to the Friends of Airdrie and Coatbridge Islamic Centre (FACIC) group.
Dr Irfan Jehangir, FACIC chairperson, told the Advertiser: “We are hugely grateful to everyone who contributed to the very healthy final fundraising total.
“When we presented the cheque to the Maggie’s Centre, their representatives were absolutely delighted with the donation, and told us it was one of the largest sums they have received.
“Our partners from the Airdrie and Coatbridge Islamic Centre, Police Scotland, HM Shotts Prison, the North Lanarkshire Muslim Women’s Alliance, Community Learning and Development and North Lanarkshire Partnership joined us for the cheque handover and it was wonderful to see everyone who played such a big part in the open day rewarded by the warm appreciation of Maggie’s staff.
“We are in our third year of the Community Connections event and it never ceases to amaze me how generous so many people are when it comes to doing their bit for charity, and local organisations like ours.”
Airdrie and Coatbridge Islamic Centre was packed with visitors at the third annual Community Connections – linking hundreds of people from different backgrounds in a celebration of togetherness – who lapped up fun activities including henna body art and face painting, arts and crafts, prayer sessions, Islamic scarves and dresses sessions, storytelling and a variety of information stalls.
Dr Jehangir said: “Hundreds attended the event, which was full of fun activities, food tasters and information on various aspects of life.
“The highlight, and most admired aspect, of the day was the research-based exhibition on the long and cherished relationship that Scotland has had over the centuries with Islam and Muslims.
“The food stalls were very busy and food that was ordered for 600 people was all distributed.
“Apart from the main food stall, we had two big stalls for homemade Scottish bakery and two more stalls for healthy food, with a huge amount of fruit contributed by the generous North Lanarkshire Partnership team.
“The open day has become a symbol of community interaction and cohesion and we were delighted to see such a strong turnout.
“There was a great buzz around the place and the people of Airdrie and Coatbridge expressed that it felt like a special day once again and that they would like to see more events like it take place.
“We felt that our aim and purpose of bringing the communities together and making interaction and integration a reality was once again a huge success and wish to thank everyone involved.”
To find out more about upcoming events being held by the Airdrie and Coatbridge Islamic Centre team, contact 01236 749163.
Community Connections organisers are pictured (above) delivering the donation to the Maggie’s Centre.