Food appeal amid fasting

Dr Zahid Chauhan, Oldham GP and a senior partner at the Medlock Medical Practice in Failsworth, Speaking about fasting safely during Ramadan

OLDHAMERS observing Ramadan are being encouraged to donate the meals they may miss to a local food bank to help their community.

Dr Zahid Chauhan, a senior partner at the Medlock Medical Practice in Failsworth, believes that Ramadan is not just a time of fasting, prayer and increased devotion but also a time for empathy and action to help those in greatest need.

By donating their lunch and teatime meals to a food bank or visiting a vulnerable neighbour, the family doctor also believes that Muslims can improve their mental health during the Holy Month.

He said: "I genuinely believe the best way of balancing your mind and feeling good about yourself is to help others.

"You can, of course, do this all year round but Ramadan with its call to care for those less fortunate is the perfect opportunity for Muslims to take practical action."

The Trussell Trust which runs more than 400 UK food banks - including Clegg Street in Oldham - reports that 13 million UK residents live below the poverty line with more than 900,000 people being fed by their food banks last year.