MANCHESTER – A Muslim group which works to tackle Islamophobia has donated £38,000 for the families affected by the Manchester Arena attack, sending a message of peace and unity to their community.

“We decided to set up a fundraising page and within days we had raised £38,000 so we were really delighted to be able to give the cheque to the Red Cross this morning,” Dr Siema Iqbal, chair of the MEND (Muslim Engagement and Development) Manchester working group, told Manchester Evening News on Monday, October 10.

She added that members were keen to support those affected by the attack.

On Monday, MEND handed over £38,000 to the Manchester Emergency Fund.

The grassroots not-for-profit organization, run by volunteers who work to tackle Islamophobia, offers an advisory service to those who have suffered religious discrimination.

Members of MEND have pledged its support to the M.E.N’s #WeStandTogether campaign – which aims to promote peace and tolerance across Greater Manchester.

The effort was praised by Kerry Threadgill as she received the cheque on behalf of the Red Cross at their offices in Manchester.

“On behalf of everyone at the British Red Cross, I would like to say a huge thank you to all at MEND for their incredible generosity and support,” Threadgill said.

“The amazing total they have raised will make a huge difference in supporting those who were affected by the Manchester attack and their families.”

An outpouring of public support has taken the total raised by the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund to £18m.

Families of those who lost their lives in the Manchester Arena bomb attack are expected to receive up to £250,000 each.