The Building Bridges in Burnley group held its annual fund-raising dinner this week at The Agra, Hapton, marking another successful year for the organisation.

The event brought together around 100 guests to celebrate the achievements of the past twelve months with an evening of fun, food, friendship, and music.

Trustees were delighted with the strong turnout and the continued support from across the community. The event, which has become a highlight in the local calendar, coincides with the start of Interfaith Week – a national initiative promoting understanding and cooperation between different faiths and communities.

This year’s celebration was made even more special as Building Bridges proudly marked receiving the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) – the highest recognition given to volunteer groups in the UK for outstanding community work.

Some of the guests at the Building Bridges in Burnley annual fund-raising dinner at The Agra in Hapton

placeholder image — Some of the guests at the Building Bridges in Burnley annual fund-raising dinner at The Agra in Hapton

Chair of Building Bridges, Afrasiab Anwar, said: “Our annual dinner is always held on the Monday of Interfaith Week, which begins with Remembrance Sunday. We started the week with a poignant service at the Peace Gardens to reflect and remember together. Monday’s dinner was about celebrating our shared values and the strength of community in Burnley.”

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He added: “This year was particularly meaningful as we were able to celebrate receiving the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, a huge honour and a reflection of the dedication of our volunteers and the positive impact they have across Burnley.”

Throughout Interfaith Week, Building Bridges is hosting a number of events designed to bring people together, including the annual football tournament, the Gather Together project, and visits to local mosques by Scouts and university students.

Mr Anwar added: “We are incredibly proud of our volunteers and the work they do year-round to promote understanding and unity. It’s fantastic to see the project being recognised nationally – Building Bridges will be featured as part of this year’s ITV Carol Service.”

Building Bridges in Burnley, based at the Faith Campus, Burnley Campus, Barden Lane, continues to play a leading role in fostering interfaith dialogue and community cohesion, demonstrating the power of partnership and shared purpose.

The charity was founded in response to the 2001 disturbances to promote social cohesion and understanding between different faith groups.