Eldon School fast swells NHS charities fund

The team from Eldon Primary School in Preston decided to fast for a day in support of Ramadan- and raise money for NHS charities at the same time.

Headteacher Azra Butt, nursery teacher Louise Ireton and school sponsor Andy Bradshaw, who has recovered from Covid-19 decided to join their local Muslim community in the daily fast during lockdown as a token of solidarity.

Azra said: " It isn't unheard of people showing solidarity with each other by fasting.

The fasts for the Muslim community these days are approximately 18 hours long, so its a huge commitment.

Several of the staff at Eldon were fasting. It's fabulous that our colleagues and friends wanted to give it a go, to see what it is like, for the day. "

The fasting was part of the 'I will fast 4 1 day' campaign set up by The Saffron Group across the country to give people an insight into the Muslim festival of Ramadan, which sees people fasting daily for a lunar month and raise money for the NHS while showing solidarity with the community.

Early years teacher Louise kept a video diary and the experience had taught her many things.. especially that food and drink occupies too much time.

She said: " I found the fasting experience a difficult but rewarding thing to do.

It was a real insight into the experience of the Muslim community at this special time, and a privilege to be part of it for a very small amount of time. "

She added: "The most difficult thing was to abstain from liquid, and to not have my morning brew.

" However the support and best wishes I received from my colleagues at Eldon helped me through, even a package of delicious food was made up for me, hand delivered for an amazing Ifkar experience, hand made by some of my kind work colleagues."

As invaluable as the experience had been, Louise said: "The opportunity to raise funds for the NHS was the main reason for me taking part.

"Any donations went onto the Saffron groups just giving page, and to date they have raised £5952, which is amazing."