100 walkers across Portsmouth join thousands of charity champions in Walk with Dabirul campaign

A FUNDRAISING walk saw 100 people across Portsmouth step out in support of those affected by the pandemic.
By Emily Jessica Turner
Published 25th Apr 2021, 14:04 BST
Updated 26th Apr 2021, 09:36 BST
Walkers for Dabirul Islam Choudhury raising funds for victims of Covid-19 in the UK, Bangladesh, Pakistan and 45 more countries, pictured at the D-Day Museum, Southsea Picture: Chris Moorhouse (jpns 240421-24)Walkers for Dabirul Islam Choudhury raising funds for victims of Covid-19 in the UK, Bangladesh, Pakistan and 45 more countries, pictured at the D-Day Museum, Southsea Picture: Chris Moorhouse (jpns 240421-24)
Walkers for Dabirul Islam Choudhury raising funds for victims of Covid-19 in the UK, Bangladesh, Pakistan and 45 more countries, pictured at the D-Day Museum, Southsea Picture: Chris Moorhouse (jpns 240421-24)

Walkers set forth at 2pm on Saturday afternoon in support of the Walk with Dabirul campaign, a global walking challenge.

Organised by Greater Sylhet Council Portsmouth the city event was part of an international campaign to walk alongside fundraising legend 101 year old Dabirul Islam Choudhury.

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Dabirul, who is walking at his communal garden in London, is the oldest Muslim in Britain who will be fasting during the month of Ramadan.

Walkers for Dabirul Islam Choudhury raising funds for victims of Covid-19 in the UK, Bangladesh, Pakistan and 45 more countries, pictured at the D-Day Museum, Southsea Picture: Chris Moorhouse (jpns 240421-25)Walkers for Dabirul Islam Choudhury raising funds for victims of Covid-19 in the UK, Bangladesh, Pakistan and 45 more countries, pictured at the D-Day Museum, Southsea Picture: Chris Moorhouse (jpns 240421-25)
Walkers for Dabirul Islam Choudhury raising funds for victims of Covid-19 in the UK, Bangladesh, Pakistan and 45 more countries, pictured at the D-Day Museum, Southsea Picture: Chris Moorhouse (jpns 240421-25)

Walks took place on Southsea Common, at the Mountbatten Centre, and in Fareham.

Participants across the area walked 100 metres to help raise funds for the cause.

Thousands of people from 100 cities globally were expected to take part in the 1.5m steps challenge to help people in 45 countries including the UK, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

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In the UK, donations will be used to support those struggling with financial and mental health challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Sales consultant Habibur Rahman, 45, took part in the Southsea walk with his two sons Zacariah, 17, and Zaid, who turned 14 on Saturday.

Habibur said: ‘People like Dabirul and Captain Sir Tom Moore are a credit to our country and our society, how they have urged people to come together.

‘These gentlemen have put the spirit in people to help those in need.

‘They are the people who inspire us to do even more.’

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Around 100 people area took part in the walk in the area, with around 25 people walking on Southsea Common and up to 50 at Mountbatten Centre.

Habibur said: ‘It’s the month of Ramadan, which has created a bigger urgency as we ask to give more to needy people.

‘During the month of Ramadan people want to conserve energy - last eating is at 3.30 in the morning, and then doing prayers at 4.30.’

He said that he was pleased to see so many people taking part in the walk, despite their fast.

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Habibur added: ‘I want to teach my sons and daughter that we must help the poor and needy when it really matters.

‘I feel fantastic that we can come together like this to help everybody regardless of race, sex, colour.

Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/walkwithdabirul to donate.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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Related topics:PortsmouthWalkers