Charity champion reaches huge personal milestone
When Nazim Ali took his first step in the London Marathon 14 years ago, little did he know how much it would change his life.
The then 21-year-old had grown up watching people of all nationalities and backgrounds complete the annual 26-mile run, raising money for causes around the world.
After months of training, the Manningham man finally got to live out one of his dreams, as he crossed the finish line in the capital, raising £550 for the charity Whizz-Kidz.
Fast-forward to Sunday 13th March 2016, and the now 35-year-old has turned into a true charity champion with his latest efforts in the Bradford 10k event helping him pass the £50,000 fundraising target.
From runs to mountain climbing, Nazim has conquered dozens of challenges, and completed a number of humanitarian aid visits to the Turkey-Syria border.
Speaking of reaching his latest money milestone, he said:”I am grateful to everyone who has sponsored me over the years, without their donations and support I would not have been able to achieve so much.
“I am looking forward to the next challenge and raising as much money as possible to help those in need whether that is at the local, national or international arenas.”
Nazim works as a careers adviser for Year 11 and sixth form students in Bradford and has done so for the past eight years.
Balancing his charity exploits with work life has seen his annual leave inundated with fundraising efforts, yet it something he says he ‘wouldn’t change’.
“Often I get asked, what my motivation is,” he said. “For me it really is a passion.
“I have been able to do this because it is something I really love. Through both my professional and charity work I am lucky enough to be able to help people so I feel blessed.
“An important part of being a Muslim is helping your fellow citizen and community. It is something I take a lot of pride in and want to continue doing for a long time.”
As well as raising money for causes, Nazim also volunteers at the Bradford Curry Circle Project and is general secretary of the city’s Naqshbandia Active Development Association (NADA).
It is certainly a busy life for one man from Bradford.
“I have been blessed to be involved in so many projects over the past decade,” Nazim added.
“I have physically seen the impact this money makes, and it is a priceless experience. It might be small drop in the ocean but every drop counts.”
