Two business managers are joining a convoy of around 60 people driving 25 ambulances to Pakistan.
Brothers Abdul Ghani and Kashish Shafiq are hoping to raise £10,000 between them as they set off on the 10 day journey driving over 6,000km across eight countries, including France, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Iran.
The trip has been organised by charities Muslim Hands and National Police aid convoys and is aimed at providing a fleet of ambulances to the rural
parts of the Rawalpindi District, near the capital Islamabad,
Mr Ghani ran a Londis convenience shop in Prince Regent Lane, Beckton, for 30 years but is about to start up a hotel nearby, while Kashish runs N K News on Barking Road.
Mr Ghani, aged 44 and originally from Pakistan said: “I got a bit of time on my hands in between changing businesses, and thought I was a good cause and challenge.
“I have no idea what to expect, I’m sure we’ll see a lot of poor people living from farming, who got no means of getting to hospital. Hopefully it will help save some lives.
“The charities are not just leaving the ambulances there, they will help them with the running costs and it will provide employment to local people.”
Mr Ghani is donating £3,500 himself and between them the pair hopes to raise £10,000 towards the cause.
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