The Federation of Redbridge Muslim Organisations (FORMO) and its affiliates presented Haven House with a cheque for £10,000 which was raised through a series of collections in April.

The partnership with FORMO is part of our aim to play an active role in the communities it serves and develop relationships with community organisations to raise awareness of the support it can offer to families with life-limited children.

Local mosques actively participated in the campaign by distributing leaflets to their congregations about the activities of Haven House as well as holding collections to raise £10,000, of which the Ilford Muslim Society in Balfour Road raised a third.

At the formal presentation of the cheque on Saturday 16 May 2015, the Chair of FORMO, Farouk Ismail said: ‘The campaign was as much about raising much needed funds as raising awareness within the community of the existence of Haven House and the vital services that Haven House provides in supporting children with limited life or suffering from terminal illnesses, as well as helping the parents and siblings during the difficult period and in their bereavement.

‘Our community have been very generous by helping to raise £10,000 for Haven House Hospice. It was an important step to raise the profile of the hospice, especially amongst the Muslim community in Redbridge and surrounding boroughs. ‘We aim to foster a long term close working relationship with FORMO and its affiliates.'

Mike Palfreman, Chief Executive at Haven House, addressed the congregation at the Ilford Islamic Centre in Albert Road on Friday 3 April 2015, commented on the partnership: ‘We were delighted to receive £10,000 from FORMO and its affiliate organisations to support the work of our hospice in Redbridge and surrounding areas.

‘As a local, charity it is important for us to understand the needs of our diverse communities and we are grateful to FORMO for their advice in this area.

He adds; ‘We are pleased to be working with FORMO on supporting the Muslim community and look forward to developing activities together that can support more children and families wherever and whenever they need us.’