FROM chicks to charity cheques – a daughter’s Easter fund-raising tribute to her mother turned out to be an egg-cellent idea.
Nasreen Younis decided she wanted to help a good cause following the loss of her mother to asthma in 2013.
Rehana Nazir was 68 when she passed away in 2013 while on her way home from a holiday in Pakistan.
Nasreen set herself a target of raising £500 for the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust’s Respiratory Fund as a mark of gratitude for her mother’s earlier treatment at North Tees University Hospital.
So she raffled off her personal collection of soft toy chicks along with chocolates, toiletries, and other gifts.
And her efforts – from the sale of tickets and donations by her Just Giving site – have raised £721 for the Respiratory Fund.
The much-needed funding will help to provide equipment such as nebulisers which are used by asthma patients on the ward.
The draw was made by Teesside ultra-runner Sharon Gayter, fresh from setting a 12-hour treadmill running world record despite suffering from asthma herself.
She said: “I’ve suffered from asthma for a very long time, but I try not to let it restrict what I’m able to do.
“That’s why it’s so important for people to be aware of the condition so they can manage it and lead as normal a life as possible.
“But it’s also such a common condition that people often don’t realise that it can be fatal.
“The Respiratory Fund has a vital role to play in helping people with asthma and supporting research to control or prevent the condition in the future.”
Nasreen, a regeneration project manager with Middlesbrough Council, said she was delighted with the response.
She said: “I will miss my chicks – but I feel the love and joy they brought me over the years will now be spread among many children and even adults!
“Not a day goes by without me thinking of my mum or missing her, so it has been great to raise awareness of how serious asthma can be.
“I’ve been enormously touched by people’s generosity and kindness and I’d like to say a big thanks to everyone who donated, sold tickets and helped get the prizes ready.
“I’m particularly grateful to my husband Amin who has been a great support since I lost my mum and who really encouraged me to do this.
“I hope to do more events in the future to support the hospital and asthma patients, and the Council has kindly agreed that the proceeds from the next dress down day and bake sale will go to the Respiratory Fund.”
Asthma specialist nurse Catherine Hodge said: “Nasreen’s mum Rehana was a lovely lady who we got to know very well during her illness. It is really lovely of Nasreen to fundraise for our service in her memory.
“It’s very impressive that more than £720 has been raised. Nasreen and her family can be assured this generous donation will be put to good use to help patients.”
- To make a donation visit justgiving.com/Nasreen-Younis