Faith groups join together to support Burnley Together

Ghausia Mosque in Abel Street, Burnley, has been providing more than 170 food parcels a week to residents through their food bank facility, while St Catherine’s Parish is serving free hot meals to homeless and vulnerable individuals and families.

Blessed Trinity RC College has raised more than £1,600 so far which will go directly to helping Burnley Together providing vital services for those in need.

Life Church in Burnley has been an integral part of the Burnley Together hub throughout the pandemic, allowing their premises in Sycamore Ave to be used as a socially distanced drop-off point for food donations; the congregation has also been showing vast amounts of kindness by donating their own time and items within the community.

Fr Charlie Hill, his wife Steph and their children delivered another huge donation of food, essential items and financial donations to Burnley Together from their parishioners at All Saints Church in Padiham Road.

Imam Abd al-Rahman from Ghausia Mosque said: “We set up the Ghausia food bank earlier this year named after a Sufi Saint. Our greatest inspiration is Prophet Muhammad who once said ‘He does not have faith in me who spends the night satiated while he knows that the neighbour to his side is hungry'.

“Feeding the hungry and assisting those in need are core values of our faith and so we’re grateful for this opportunity to serve our community and to work alongside Burnley Together.

"Since lockdown just over 1800 food parcels and hot meals have been delivered to around 300 families throughout Burnley. All of this was only possible because of our generous donors and brilliant team of volunteers.”

Coun. Afrasiab Anwar MBE, chairman of Building Bridges in Burnley, said: “In difficult times, the faith communities and their volunteers really step up and come to the forefront of demanding situations to help those in need. The way these groups have united during the coronavirus crisis in Burnley is a fine example of this.”

A spokesman for Burnley Together said: "These are just some stories of the wonderful work that is being carried out across our community during these difficult times, highlighting the combined goodwill of the groups involved."