Afridi and Younis conclude a charitable tour

by Mansoor Ehsan on August 23, 2009

Pakistan T20 cricket team captain Shahid Afridi and ODI & test team captain Younis Khan have recently concluded a charity tour to England in collaboration with the renowned welfare organization, The Islamic Relief.

Islamic Relief (IR) had arranged a series of dinner events with mega stars to raise funds for war struck displaced people of Malakand and Sawat. These fundraiser events were held at Birmingham, London, Manchester, Cardiff and Leicester to mark IRM’s 25 years of service to humanity and to help raise much needed funds to provide assistance to the displaced people of Swat.

After conclusion of the fundraiser events, IR’s website states good number of donations coming in for IDPs of Sawat.

A Fundraiser at Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena on Monday 17th August prompted generous Birmingham citizens to donate more than £140,000 for the appeal. Inspired by stories from Pakistani cricketers Younus Khan and Shahid Afridi, the public did not hesitate to reach deep into their pockets to help the disadvantaged and suffering people of that region.

For London it says:

A Fundraiser in London on Tuesday 18th August prompted generous Londoners to donate more than £120,000 for the appeal.

Manchester took the lead in donating generously for this noble cause:

A Fundraiser in Manchester on Wednesday 19th August prompted generous Manchester residents to donate an incredible £200,000 for the appeal.

Cricket stars in Pakistan have done rare work of charity in the past and the only notable work we see is from Imran Khan who built Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital for free cancer treatment in Pakistan. Now this charitable step from both Younis and Afridi is very warmly welcomed.

Speaking at the event Younis said “No government can resolve the problems of a country all alone, so the people should play their role”.

At the press conference, Shahid Afridi said that health and education are two major problems in Swat and Malakand region, and called the civil society to play its role in seeking solution of these problems. He further said the liked the mission of Islamic Relief and would continue doing charitable events with IR for all his life.

BBC Urdu has also compiled a report on the event:

Video courtesy BBC Urdu