By KLTV Newsdesk – 

Rapid-response appeal raises £30,000 in 24 hours as volunteers reach 5,000 families across Southern Punjab

A Kirklees charity has delivered critical food aid to thousands of families in Pakistan during Ramadan, following a swift emergency appeal that raised tens of thousands of pounds in a matter of days.

Heckmondwike-based The Magic Wishing Well launched its campaign on 19 February and raised £30,000 within just 24 hours.

The funds were quickly put to use, providing essential food packs to more than 100 families in Sui Cheemian Village, located in Gujar Khan Tehsil Union Council, marking the start of a far-reaching humanitarian effort.

Reaching families across Southern Punjab

In early March, a team of volunteers from the charity, working alongside partners from SKT Welfare, travelled to Pakistan to oversee the distribution of aid.

Over nine days, from 9 to 17 March, the team reached some of the country’s most deprived communities, delivering support across Bahawalnagar, Pakpattan, Vehari, Sahiwal and Okara.

Their goal was ambitious: to provide food packs for 5,000 families during Ramadan.

Each parcel was carefully prepared to sustain an entire household for a month, supplying essential staples at a time when many families struggle to afford even the most basic provisions.

By the final day of the mission, volunteers distributed an additional 1,000 food parcels in a single push — equivalent to £35,000 worth of aid.

“Not just aid, but dignity”

Volunteers on the ground described witnessing both severe hardship and remarkable resilience among the families they supported.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “From day one to the final distribution, we witnessed real hardship, but also strength, patience and gratitude that words cannot fully describe.

“The smiles, the prayers, even the tears, this is why we do what we do.”

For many recipients, the food packs represented more than just sustenance — offering stability and dignity during Ramadan, a time centred on community, reflection and generosity.

A 100 per cent donation model

Central to the charity’s work is its commitment to a strict “100 per cent donation policy”.

All volunteers cover their own travel and accommodation costs, ensuring that every pound donated goes directly towards aid.

The organisation also manages the entire process — from purchasing and packing to on-the-ground distribution — while providing donors with photo and video updates to ensure transparency.

Organisers say this approach has been vital in building trust and enabling rapid responses during humanitarian crises.

Local roots, global impact

Despite its local base in Heckmondwike, The Magic Wishing Well has raised millions of pounds over the years to support vulnerable communities both in the UK and abroad.

Its Ramadan campaigns have become a cornerstone of its work, combining grassroots fundraising with international outreach.

This year’s Pakistan appeal stands as one of its largest and fastest-moving efforts to date.

What comes next

Although the Pakistan mission has now concluded, the charity says its work is far from over.

Plans are already underway to deliver urgent aid to Palestine through trusted partners, as well as a new deployment to Morocco following Eid.

With Ramadan drawing to a close, organisers continue to encourage donations, stressing that demand for humanitarian support remains high.

“Lives changed”

Reflecting on the mission, volunteers emphasised the lasting impact of their work.

“This wasn’t just a deployment,” the spokesperson added. “This was lives changed.”

Shakeel Faraz, the Charities’ founder, said: “On behalf of myself and the whole team at The Magic Wishing Well Team, I would like to sincerely thank all of our sponsors, everyone who donated, those who kept us in their prayers, and everyone who placed their trust in us.

“A special thank you to all our volunteers and trustees for their time, effort and dedication throughout.

“We also truly appreciate the continued support from Asda, Tesco, Spot On Car Wash, our local mosques, and the wider community; none of this would be possible without you.

“Our original target was £180,000, but the trust and generosity people showed in us meant donations continued even after we announced the appeal had closed.

“Because of that incredible support, the team stayed on longer, and we were able to distribute a total of £232,400 in aid”

“Your trust is our responsibility, and we never take that lightly.”

For a small West Yorkshire charity, the scale of impact has been significant.

If anyone would like to get involved in future deployments or support upcoming projects, they can get in touch via email: shakeel@themagicwishingwell.org.uk