The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is bringing back their charity run but this year it’s to help mental health initiatives in the city. Run for Lloydminster will be held on September 21.
Proceeds from the run will go towards Lloydminster Regional Health Foundation’s Project Sunrise. Project Sunrise is the Foundations main fundraising program for mental health and addiction.
Imam Mansoor Azeem says the community met with the Health Foundation and found Project Sunrise to be the most significant cause for Lloydminster.
“We chose this [cause] and afterwards we came to know of the Lloydminster Needs Assessment Survey and it was the second-highest issue rated in the survey,” Azeem says. “It has many faces. Back in our days, we used to have cowpox and it was supposed that the world is ending. In today’s world, the generation today is facing the problem of mental disorder.”
Azeem says Lloydminster is a supportive community and has high hopes for Saturday’s event.
“One hundred and twenty-five people came to the event last year and this year it might be the same but we’re expecting about 200 people this time.”
The inaugural run raised $12,000 for a new ophthalmology microscope at the Lloydminster Hospital. The microscope helps prevent residents in need of cataract surgery from travelling in order to get the procedure done.
“It was amazing. It was the first one that our community was doing and the support we received from Lloydminster and local business was amazing.”
The run starts at 10 a.m. at Bud Miller Park and people interested can register online.