The Derby Muslim community once again proved why they are champions of giving by raising a whopping £1 Million at the annual charity dinner held at the Grand River Suite on Tuesday 2nd July, for the new Kashmir Orphan Relief Trust (KORT) hospital.
In an impressive show of unity the Kashmiri/Pakistani diaspora together with Derby-based international charities and businesses gathered under one roof to create history.
The event organised by local trustee Ali Latif and Derby Khidmah group spearheaded by Rauf Akbar raised funds for the new healthcare facility at Jorian (nr Jatlan) district Mirpur. KORT hospital is set to change the lives of millions of deprived and needy people in AJK and surrounding areas.
The £32M 500-bed hospital is being developed and delivered by KORT, renowned for their charitable work since 2005.
The invited guests were entertained by nasheed artists Naseeb Abbas and Nasir Khan, for an enjoyable evening all while gathering for a much needed and noble cause.
In a stellar effort, over £3.5M raised so far by generous donors in Peterborough, Leeds, Bradford, Oldham and Derby in a matter of days.
Spearheaded by founder and chairman Chaudhry Mohammed Akhtar, KORT is developing a free healthcare facility, which is set to change the lives of million of people in Mirpur, Azad Kashmir, and surrounding areas.
KORT’s new 500 bed hospital complex will feature an Accident & Emergency department, along with full hospital services such as outpatient care, radiology, paediatrics, pathology, pulmonary, dental and eye clinics, proving an essential lifeline for the poor and needy.
With 4.5 million residents living before below the poverty line, many encounter significant obstacles when seeking specialised medical treatment, often necessitating costly and exhausting journeys to Islamabad.
Ch Mohammed Akhtar comments: “We are extending to serve those affected by natural disasters and poverty, by providing access to free healthcare services to the people of Kashmir and Pakistan.
“We have committed to developing a hospital and on site educational facilities – a vision to establish a first of its kind medical centre stemming from a profound need for accessible and quality healthcare services in the region.
“The healthcare system operates under strain receiving just 2.5% of the government budget.
“This insufficient allocation has resulted in shortages in healthcare. Along with providing accessible quality medical services, we are going beyond saving the lives by providing training facilities for medics, nurses and more.”
“KORT are indebted to event sponsors Najib & Sons, Qurban & Sons, Pak Foods and Grand River Suite to enable us deliver the event at no cost.
“We thank all our ‘Muskorteers’ for their hard work and effort throughout and we especially thank the Derby Muslim community for their generous donations.
Visit kort.org.uk for more information.
Further fundraising events are planned in Luton, Birmingham, Slough and Dewsbury. You can attend the below events in a city near you by calling any of the mobile numbers on the posters, and reserve your admission ticket.
