A PANTOMIME inspired Keighley girl Inayah Ahmed to raise more than £500 for charity. The nine-year-old set up a Just Giving page that raised £435 in the first day and has now reached at least £575.

The money, which fast exceeded Inayah’s target of £360, will go to the Winter Emergency campaign run by PennyAppeal, one of the best-known Muslim charities in the UK, to provide items such as food, water and blankets during the winter period in Middle Eastern countries.

Inayah lives in Redcliffe Grove, Highfield, and attends nearby St Andrew’s CofE Primary School.

She said: “I saw upsetting videos of children younger than myself that are living on the streets in freezing conditions. It broke my heart that people were dying because they did not have the basic necessities to stay alive. I wanted to make a difference and help them to stay warm and safe.”

Inayah’s older brother Zain said Inayah had done many small things for charity, but nothing as big as this.

Zain said: “She has helped run a charity stall, where she sold desserts to raise money for a mosque in Leeds. She has visited other charity events like concerts, family fun days and contributed towards numerous charities.

“We are extremely proud of what she has done this time and that she has so much compassion for those in poverty around the world.

The inspiration for Inayah’s latest fundraising drive came when she watched The Great Muslim Panto in Bradford, during its tour of 20 cities across the UK.

The panto was the brainchild of Islah Abdur-Rahman and Michael Truong, hosts of a YouTube channel called CornerShopShow which is popular with British Bengali and British Asian people, including Inayah and Zain.

Zain added: “One of their workers asked if anyone would be able to raise money for charity, and my sister raised her hand to say she would raise that money.

“The next day, a JustGiving page was made and instantly receive donations by family, friends and others, workplaces and schools could start fundraising in the same way for many charities. My sister’s appeal is still up and running, and any further donations will continue to help.”

PennyAppeal runs a wide range of fundraising projects, from medical and relief work in Gaza, Yemen and Bangladesh, to adoption and fostering and the Adopt a Gran scheme.

The Winter Emergency appeal supported by Inayah provides shelter, food and warmth to people in mortal danger in Syria, Yemen, Palestine, Bangladesh, Turkey, Lebanon and Pakistan.

Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/inayah-ahmed to give support to Inayah’s appeal.