Published on Apr 30 2011 

 How Middlesex Raised £25k for the 25th MKA Charity Challenge 2010 at Windsor Great Park.

This was the highest amount collected by any Region throughout the history of this event.

Store collections were arranged prior to the Charity Challenge at various B&Q and Wickes stores throughout Middlesex. There were further collections at Waterloo Station and Wimbledon throughout the prestigious tennis tournament. The Region was able to maximise collections through the sheer number of Khuddam that volunteered their time during each of these collections. Each additional Khadim equals additional cash!

The difference between a good collector and a bad collector could be the difference between a £100 over a single day’s collection. In order to maximise each individual’s collection it is imperative for an experienced member to regularly brief and motivate the Khuddam before and during each collection. A Khadim’s approach should be one of great confidence, greeting each and every passer by with a big smile and in a friendly manner asking if they would like to make a donation. It is important for the collectors to completely disregard any element of rejection to the point that they should almost expect rejection but when they do receive a donation then accept it as a bonus, also remembering to always say “Thank you very much” after a donation is made.

In Middlesex we were also quite thorough in our reporting of raised funds. We had regular weekly meetings with Qaideen to keep them informed of their current total amount raised through cash collections, Just Giving and each of the various bucket collections. We also gave each Qiadat fairly ambitious targets based on the specific composition of their Tajneed, highlighting all potential big fundraisers. This system of target comparison reporting kept our collections very fluid and continuously growing week on week.

After the Charity Challenge had taken place and all outstanding promises were collected I realised and was firmly reminded by Sadr Majlis that we were still about £10k short of my very ambitious target. We then approached our contacts directly at Save the Children and other supported charities and managed to secure further store collections at Sommerfields and other London underground stations. In fact we were still frantically collecting money and literally throwing Khuddam from the Region at every collection that we could secure right up to the last weekend prior to National Ijtema.

It was an exhausting year for the Region in terms of hosting the Charity Challenge and fundraising. The Khuddam within the Region were fantastic and clearly identified and accepted the challenge of hosting this great event alongside all of the responsibilities that come with it. The Middlesex Regional Majlis-e-Amila including the Qaideen were exemplary with their constant drive and enthusiasm from the day Middlesex was announced as the host, through to the cheque presentation at the National Ijtema. May Allah bless them all for their hard work and efforts. Ameen.

 

Imran Mirza
Regional Qaid, Middlesex