A GROUP of Bradford men have travelled almost 4,000 miles on a humanitarian visit to help families in need.
Led by property developer and philanthropist Shahid Iqbal, volunteers Anjam Iqbal, Nadeem Iqbal, Rashid Ibrahim, Babar Ahmed, Sikander Hayat and Aamir Hamzah are currently in the Karakorum and Himalayan region of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Here they are in the process of building an orphanage, distributing thousands of food packages and donating incubators to hospitals.
During the height of the Covid restrictions, Mr Iqbal and his wife were unable to travel back to the UK, so decided to spend several months exploring the region of Gilgit Baltistan.
The area, located near the border with China and India, is the capital of tourism in Pakistan and is known for its extremely high mountain and glaciers.
The couple visited orphanages and witnessed first-hand the dire need to help the poor and needy.
With the pair having no children, after trying for years, they saw these mountain children as their own and started asking friends and family for help and assistance.
Upon their return to the UK, Mrs Shahid fell pregnant and gave birth to their child last month.
This motivated them to start a fundraising campaign which in total has raised more than £80,000 for the International Humanitarian Relief.
Mr Iqbal was introduced to the region seven years ago by Bradford-born Haroon Rashid who is the Honorary Ambassador to the region on sports culture and tourism.
Mr Rashid said: "I am in constant contact with Shahid and his team. It is a remarkable story of a couple's struggle to have a child for many years and their belief and spiritual attachment to the region.
"I have always said the mountains ranges of Gilgit Baltistan, which include Himalayan, Karakorum, Rakaposhi and Hindu Kush, have a mystical and magical side to them.
"The team are doing a wonderful job in personally handing out over 3,000 individual food packages.
"During the summer season, this will assist families in rebuilding their lives after the pandemic.
"Hats off to Shahid and his team for taking up this worthy initiative."
The group's fundraising page reads: "You could be the reason these dependant individuals living in heartbreaking conditions get to open their food packs this Ramadhan.
"Do not waste this priceless opportunity and donate today.
"Each food pack is £22."
If you would like to donate, visit https://campaigns.givebrite.com/fundraiser?fundraiser=nadeem-5607.
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