Youngsters save money and feed homeless in memory of cousin

Wanting to honour the memory of their cousin Haleema Hussain, Laila (14) and Maryum (12) Younis saved their pocket money for months to feed the homeless and give cakes to staff at Peterborough City Hospital.

Normally the girls save their money earned from helping around the house until Christmas when they treat themselves, but were determined to use their money for an even greater cause.

Having saved since January, together the girls donated £255 which they spent on providing cakes and food to nurses at the Cavell hospital and sponsored meals to rough sleepers in the city.

The heartfelt gesture was delivered on June 10, on what would have been Haleema’s 15th birthday. Haleema sadly passed away from Cancer in April and the girls wanted it to be a ‘birthday present’ for her, as they wouldn’t be able to celebrate with a cake or presents as usual.

Proud mum, Salma Latif was overjoyed with both of her daughters’ kind act.

She said: “As a mum I am really proud that they wanted to do that in her memory.

“The girls thought with her birthday coming up ‘what can we do?’ Both my girls had such a special bond with Haleema and I’m so proud of what they’ve done.

“When I asked if they were sure they wanted to donate all that money, Laila said they were as though they can’t bring Haleema back, they can earn the money again.”

With the help of Ishfaq Hussein, who Salma describes as a ‘godsend to her family’, he helped to organise the handover of their gifts within a week.

He said: “It was an honour to help make this possible for them. A heartwarming gesture from the youth of our community.

“Hopefully it will inspire others to help the less fortunate and appreciate the key workers that give so much.”

More than 4,000 people watched the streamed service for the girls’ cousin Haleema Hussain at a cemetery in Peterborough in April this year after her tragic death from cancer aged just 15.

Normally, hundreds would pay tribute at the mosque, but large gatherings have been banned because of the coronavirus pandemic.