Dad raises more than £14k in Ramadan charity ride

A father-of-four said he has been "blown away" by the generosity of people who have helped him raise more than £14,000 for charity with a sponsored Ramadan bike ride.

Shahid Akhtar covered a total of 500km (310 miles) during daily rides near his home in Rainworth, Nottinghamshire, while fasting during the Muslim holy month.

The 52-year-old said he had overcome bad weather and a foot injury to surpass his initial target of riding 450km.

"It was challenging," he said.

"There were times that I was out in the hail and cold, that I was really tired, but it was people's generosity that kept me going.

"When I started I hoped to raise £5,000 but I smashed that and people are still donating to the online fundraiser."

Mr Akhtar said the money donated would go to Charity Right - a group that provides meals to schoolchildren in neglected parts of the world, including Gaza.

"I was blown away by everyone's support," he added.

"It was hard. I was a bit sore and tired each night after I finished but I'm really pleased at how it went.

Ramadan began in England on 1 March after the sighting of the crescent moon, and ended on 30 March, followed by Eid al-Fitr, the "festival of breaking the fast".

During the month, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours.

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