YOUNGSTERS in Keighley raised more than £500 for children whose lives have been devastated by the Syrian Civil War.

Children aged five to 11, most of whom attend classes at the Madrasa in Muhammadi Mosque, Showfield, collected toys to sell at a stall. The stall was outside the mosque on Sunday. (Sept 16)

The youngsters also arranged for their families to make and donate food which was sold from the same location.

Spring Gardens resident Imran Khan Dad, whose eight-year-old son Abdullah Gulfam and 11-year-old nephew Subhaan Gulfam took part in the weekend fundraising, said: “I can confirm all the children together raised £580 in total.

“I am very grateful for the donations and for those people who came and bought stuff at the stall. It wouldn’t have been possible without their generosity.

“The boys and girls worked so hard through some bad weather and planned the event for over a week.

“Some were as young as five, so it was a huge thing for them to do at such an early age. This was something they wanted to do themselves, no one told them to do it.

“All the proceeds will be going towards children who’ve been affected by the war in Syria.

“I’m proud of our children’s efforts. It was a great experience for them and they enjoyed every minute of it. They can’t wait to see the smiles on the faces of the Syrian children they’ve helped.”

Mr Dad said the Muhammadi Mosque, which he attends, frequently stages fundraises initiatives for people around the world trapped in war zones or hit by natural disasters.

He said a similar charity sale for Syria by local children outside the mosque over the weekend of September 8/9 raised £242.