The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Charities join forces to help the vulnerable and homeless
A Charity Banquet? promises to be event with a difference where the poor and hungry will be VIPs
Three Fife charities have teamed up with a Kirkcaldy mosque to offer hungry, homeless and vulnerable Fifers an event called A Charity Banquet?
Former Scotland manager Craig Brown is lined up as a speaker at the January 29 event hosted by Kirkcaldy Central Mosque and sponsored by the Insure Smart Foundation with support from Frontline Fife and FRAE Fife.
Maz Salim, a trustee of Kirkcaldy Central Mosque and chairman of the foundation said: “The question mark in the event title is deliberate.
“It’s not a charity banquet in the usual sense.
“There will be a top-notch celebrity speaker and delicious food, but guests don’t need to dress up in a black tie and dinner suit, nor buy a ticket.
“The VIPs at this event are the homeless and vulnerable people of Fife.
“We are also challenging the idea that it is a charitable act to help people less fortunate than ourselves.
“We all agree that it is our duty as human beings – it could be any of us in need tomorrow or the next day.”
Naeem Khalid of FRAE Fife stressed that the purpose of the event is to help people and learn from them.
He said: “It’s about building community cohesion and bringing the diverse communities of Fife together to help each other”.
The dinner will also raise awareness of the free services of Frontline Fife and to stress that Kirkcaldy Central Mosque is a community centre for all people, not just Muslims.
The mosque, at Cumbrae Terrace, has been intended as an inclusive centre for all the community since its inception.
As well as a place of worship, the venue will have meeting halls, a library, classrooms, computer rooms, a games hall and kitchen.
The Kirkcaldy-based Insure Smart Foundation was founded in 2014 and has supported a range of local and national campaigns, from Children in Need, Comic Relief and Sport Relief to cycling, running and bungee jumping for local charities and international relief drives.
The foundation was set up by Insure Smart board partners Maz Salim, Amir Salim, Ashar Salim and Ian McCulloch, who are all passionate about the good work of the charity.
A Charity Banquet? runs from noon to 4pm on Sunday January 29.
Individuals or agencies should contact kimberley.grant@frontlinefife.co.uk or call 01592 800430.
We are also challenging the idea that it is a charitable act to help people less fortunate than ourselves. MAZ SALIM