BLACKBURN – A group of Muslim high school pupils from Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School (TIBHS) paid a special visit to hospitalized children in Blackburn, putting a smile on their faces before the holiday season.
“Our school aims to foster a charitable nature in our pupils all through the year, as we encourage them to take positive social action within their local communities,” Irfan Umarji, Vice Principal at TIBHS, told Asian Image on Tuesday.
“Christmastime is one of those times in the year when we step up our efforts to support people in need.”
Umarji was the main coordinator of the school’s visit and donations to Royal Blackburn Hospital.
“This year our school’s Festive Winter Gift Program aimed to brighten the days of people having to spend time in Royal Blackburn Hospital during the festive period,” Umarji said.
“It was wonderful to see patients smiling, happy to receive surprise gifts. It was also a hugely positive experience for our pupils to spread kindness and compassion in the hospital which is only a stone’s throw from our school.”
Accompanied by TIBHS staff and representatives of Brookhouse Development Group, pupils took gifts of toys and games to boys and girls staying on children’s wards, and gifts of blankets, toiletries, and treats to older people.
“You could tell that it meant such a lot to the patients to receive gifts,” year 10 pupil Sufian Naseer said.
“The elderly patients, in particular, were pleased to see us. It meant a lot to me too, to make them smile. We feel like we really made a difference.”