MESSAGE FOR A TRUE HERO

THE following open letter penned by Mohammed Aslom Miah on April 24 and sent to NHS fundraising hero Captain Tom Moore was forwarded on to the Free Press by Cuan Hoare, of Bacup Road, Rawtenstall.

Mr Hoare said: “It is heartening in these times how communities are pulling together.

“It is especially pleasing to see people like Mr Miah joining in these great efforts.

“Despite the covid situation, in the main it is bringing the best out of people.

“The letter is self explanatory and I am sending it just to remind people that good deeds are taking place across the entire community.

“I have known Mr Miah since the later 1960s and he has worked tirelessly for the community.”

Dear Captain Moore, I came to England in 1963 from what is now Bangladesh and I made my home in Rossendale, Lancashire.

I am now 84 years of age.

In the years that I have been in Rossendale I have done everything I could to foster good community relations.

I was a founding member of the Pakistan Welfare Association and opened the first Mosque in the area in Haslingden.

I am still very active in my local community.

On behalf of all the Bangladeshi community in Lancashire and myself, we wish you a very happy 100th birthday and congratulate you on your amazing efforts.

You are an inspiration to so many people and your action and the numerous kind acts of so many people, have shown to everyone what a great community spirit exists in this great country.

Let us hope and pray that this wonderful community spirit carries on for a long time after the current emergency has finished.

We admire the brilliant work for charity you have done by walking around your garden during the past week.

Please find enclosed a donation we wish to make to your charity from me and my community.

With every best wish for the future, Mohammed Aslom Miah

Holme Bank, Rawtenstall