Charity
International aid agencies warn of starvation and death as Israel seizes Rafah crossing, restricting humanitarian aid flow into Gaza
International aid groups have warned of exacerbating an already grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza if an Israeli offensive on Rafah goes ahead, after Israel blocked the supply of essential aid and demanded thousands of people leave the city. Already severely constricted by eight months of war on Palestine, the flow of emergency food and medicine…
Activists ‘occupy’ Birmingham New Street Station to protest “deplorable” Gaza aid suspension
Pro-Palestine activists have held an “emergency occupation” of Birmingham New Street Station, protesting against the British government’s “deplorable decision” to suspend funding to UNRWA. Called with less than 24 hours notice, around 100 people gathered on the station concourse yesterday evening (Monday 29 January) to voice their opposition to the UK suspending payments to the UNRWA, the…
Community to stage charity sleepout in Birmingham to raise funds for Gaza children this winter
A community sleepout in the open outdoors is set to take place in Birmingham next month to raise funds for Palestinian children in the besieged Gaza strip. With the motto to “challenge yourself for a night to sleep under the stars so a child in Gaza won’t have to”, the fundraising event is being organised…
Birmingham activists plant tree to remember the city’s contribution to global debt justice
Local activists will plant a gingko tree in Birmingham’s City Centre Gardens to mark the location of the largest human chain to have taken place in the UK in the last 30 years. 70,000 people took part in the chain during the G8 meeting in the city in May 1998, influencing G8 leaders to initiate…
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity urges individuals to make a will as it offers free service
The Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is urging individuals to make a will, as it offers a service to write one for free. According to recent research by Canada Life, more than a third of UK adults do not have a will, prompting Midlands Air Ambulance Charity to open a free will writing service to those aged 50 and…
Change into Action campaign helps 750 rough sleepers move into much-needed accomodation
A West Midlands campaign to take rough sleepers off the streets has helped get 750 people into accommodation. According to Birmingham City Council, generous public donations totalling more than £280,000 have helped provide much-needed support and protection for those sleeping rough on streets in the region. The initiative is part of the year-round Change into Action alternative giving…
Birmingham activist returns Empire Medal over treatment of refugees and free school meals
A Birmingham social work activist has returned his British Empire Medal in protest over “Labour’s refusal to commit to free school meals and the Tories removal of children’s murals” at an asylum centre. Eddie O’Hara was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours in 2021 for his charity work and for…
Brummie women distribute toys to young earthquake victims in Turkey to mark Eid festivities
A group of women from Birmingham have visited Türkiye this week to help child refugees following the devastating earthquake in the region earlier this year. The delegation fundraised thousands of pounds in Birmingham before taking the donations directly to displaced families living in refugee camps in the Turkish south-central city of Gaziantep, where they distributed…
Birmingham Muslims gather for festive Ramadan bazaar ahead of Eid celebrations
Muslims from across Birmingham descended on Sparkbrook this weekend for an Eid shopping extravaganza, ahead of festive celebrations, as Ramadan begins to wind down this week. With around 5 days left for the holy month of fasting to complete, Muslim families were treated to a fun day at Piccadilly Banqueting Suite in Stratford Road, Birmingham,…
Birmingham imam receives MBE for feeding homeless and helping NHS staff during pandemic
A Birmingham mosque leader who helped to feed the homeless, refugees, victims of domestic abuse and frontline NHS staff during the COVID-19 pandemic has received an MBE. Mohammad Asad, lead imam at Birmingham Central Mosque, was given the top honour from HRH Princess Anne at a special ceremony in Windsor Castle this month.