Inspire FM leads Luton’s Faith Communities to raise over £22,000 for Luton Foodbank
A powerful collaboration led by community radio station Inspire FM, in partnership with Crisis Aid and Luton Foodbank, has led to a significant winter campaign, raising over £22,000 to support local families facing food insecurity.
The campaign saw an unprecedented show of unity from across the town, with 12 Mosques and the Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue hosting collections. In a significant boost to the fundraising efforts, the international NGO Crisis Aid provided match funding, effectively doubling the impact of the community’s generosity.
On Thursday, 22nd January, the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, Camilla King, and Deputy Lieutenant (DL) Gurch Randhawa joined community leaders to present certificates of appreciation, acknowledging the vital role of faith groups in the campaign’s success.
In recognition of their leadership and impact, Crisis Aid, Inspire FM, and Luton Foodbank were each presented with Outstanding Achievement Awards by the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, Camilla King, celebrating their exceptional collaboration and commitment to tackling food poverty across the town.
The success of this appeal, driven by Inspire FM’s reach across the town, was found in the moments of connection it fostered across Luton. During the certificate presentation, community leaders shared stories of the campaign's impact from small children donating their pocket money to elderly residents walking to their local place of worship in the freezing cold to contribute.
A mosque representative noted that the campaign did more than fill cupboards; it bridged communities. "Seeing the Synagogue and the Mosques working toward the same goal for the people of Luton shows that our common humanity is much stronger than our differences," they remarked. The funds raised will provide thousands of emergency meals for families who have been forced to choose between heating their homes and feeding their children this winter.
"The response from our listeners and the wider Luton community has been truly humbling," said Mohammed Tariq, Station Manager at Inspire FM. "To see so many people come together during the coldest months to ensure their neighbours don't go hungry is a testament to the spirit of this town."
Nurul Islam, Trustee of Crisis Aid, added: "At Crisis Aid, we believe in supporting those in need both internationally and right here at home. By match-funding this campaign, we wanted to empower the local community to make a tangible difference for families in Luton."
Liz Stringer, Chair of Luton Foodbank, commented: "This donation comes at a critical time when demand is at an all-time high. No one in our town should have to go hungry, and thanks to this effort led by Inspire FM, we can continue to provide that essential safety net."
The success of this campaign was made possible by the Jummah (Friday prayer) collections and community efforts from:
Bushmead Community Hub (UKIM Luton North)
Hockwell Ring Masjid
Jamia Islamia Ghousia Trust (Bismillah Charity)
Kokni Community Luton
Leagrave Hall Masjid
Luton Central Mosque
Masjid Al Furqan
Madinah Masjid UKIM
Masjid-e-Ali
Masjid Irshad
Sundon Park Masjid
Venue Central Town Musallah
Donation from Bedfordshire Progressive Synagogue
Building on the success of this winter appeal, the partners expressed hope that the campaign could be repeated in the future, continuing to bring Luton's communities together to support local families in need.