All aboard the InsideOut appeal!

Over 200 guests cruised on the Thames to raise funds for Mosaic’s prison mentoring programme. On June 15, Islamic Relief hosted a fundraising dinner as part of the InsideOut Appeal that supports Mosaic’s prison mentoring programme. Guests boarded the Dixie Queen boat for an enchanting cruise on the Thames for an evening of fundraising, inspirational speeches and an exciting auction.

The InsideOut Appeal is supported by Islamic Relief as their first ever UK-focused fundraising project and provides focused support and mentoring opportunities to Muslim prisoners around the vulnerable period of transition from custody back into community. The programme runs in London, the Midlands, the North West and Yorkshire Humber and supports 16 to 30 year-old offenders at the end of their custodial sentence, providing them with a trained mentor to support them through the difficult transition back into society and, particularly, the workplace.

The guests were welcomed with a motivating speech by Jehangir Malik, UK Director of Islamic Relief that further explained the need of the InsideOut Appeal and the unique partnership between Islamic Relief and Mosaic. Jehangir Malik said, “Joint efforts like the InsideOut Appeal are needed more than ever in the current economic climate and organisations like Mosaic and Islamic Relief have to work more closely in partnership to maximise resources in order to deliver high quality work that makes a real difference.”

Jonathan Freeman, National Director of Mosaic UK, gave an inspiring account on how the Mosaic’s prison mentoring programme was conceived. Jonathan Freeman said, “The prison mentoring programme has shown that mentoring makes a huge difference to the lives of young ex-offenders. With the support of a mentor, the programme shows that these young people really can turn their lives around and fulfil their potential.”

The highlight of the evening was the moving personal account of Samir Gibbs, a mentee of the prisons programme, which showcased how the programme works and how beneficial and needed the programme really is in today’s society. Samir opened up to the guests about the challenges he had faced growing up, the trouble he had got into but his determination to make a success of his life with the support of his mentor Nasfim. The guests gave Samir a spontaneous ovation when he announced that, six months after his release from prison, he would be starting an apprenticeship the next day.

Guests were served with a delicious dinner provided by Chaudry’s TKC from Southall and enjoyed a special poem recital by Muslim Belal. With generous donations from Asheeq Art, Simply Chocolicious, Mica Gallery, The Baglioni Hotel, Hi-Spek,Tekcity, Holland and Barrett and Islamic Impressions, the evening ended with a successful auction hosted by Na’eem Raza that raised an impressive amount of money for the appeal.

Find out more about the InsideOut Appeal on the Islamic Relief website

This successful evening would not have been possible without the support of our generous sponsors:

Tekcity

Tekcity is one of the largest online distributors of mobile phones, accessories and parts in Europe. We are proud to sponsor the Inside Out appeal run by Mosaic and Islamic relief. They have presented an innovative and practical approach in helping individuals back into society.

www.tekcity.com

Mercy Mission

Mercy Mission is a community empowerment organization working with excellence to see the emergence of ‘a world where every Muslim is able to live faithfully to their belief, building an exemplary Islamic community that benefits humanity’. Spanning across seven countries, we work with a diverse range of partners to realize the vision of the final messenger, through our health, social, education and media portfolios. Mercy Mission, Helping People Help Others.

www.mercymissionworld.org

Stephen Lickrish & Associates Ltd

Stephen Lickrish & Associates Ltd is a Manchester based solicitor’s practise with a nationwide presence. The firm specialises in handling complex cases including fraud, confiscation, money laundering and grave criminal matters such as terrorism and murder as well as general criminal litigation.

The firm was founded in 2006 by Stephen Lickrish and Saeed Hafezi. Stephen was formerly at the CPS, DLA and Cooper Kenyon Burrows. Saeed practised in London for 14 years eventually running the criminal department of a top London legal aid practise.

www.stephenlickrish.co.uk

Muslim Community Fund

‘We’re honoured to be sponsors of this important initiative. Sometimes it is easier to criticize and turn our sights elsewhere, but this proactive and organised effort to transform the grassroots of our community should be commended and supported. We’re proud to be involved.’

Muslim Community Fund (MCF) – ‘Realising Possibilities…’

www.mcfund.org.uk

Al Khair Foundation

Al Khair Foundation established in 2003 on a platform of education started out as Al Khair School. Today with an enrolment of 250 pupils (which include boys and girls from the levels of nursery to GCSEs) is one of most respected Islamic education institutions in the country and one of the UK’s leading international NGO’s.

Education

Disaster Relief

UK Community Work

Rehabilitation

Media

Recipient of the JustGiving “The Most Successful Fundraiser 2011” award

www.alkhair.org

Na’eem Raza

A fusion of experience, talent, sincerity, energy, creativity and charisma produce one of the UK’s leading presenters and marketing consultants.

Na’eem and his team have a wealth of experience of over 30 years in the media, event and entertainment industry.

Events

Presenting

Training

Management

Creative

Consultancy

Na’eem & his associates welcome and feel privileged to support the “InsideOut” campaign.

www.naeemraza.com

Human Appeal International

Human Appeal International (HAI) is a UK registered charity (No. 1005733), an independent international NGO which has been working for over 20 years in the most deprived communities around the world striving to provide a brighter future for those in need.

HAI is actively fulfilling the basic needs of suffering people and improving the quality of life of underprivileged communities in over 30 countries worldwide through education, health and social development.

www.humanappeal.org.uk

Henley Homes

Henley Homes is an award-winning, design-led development company, recognised for its attention to quality and detail and its customer care charter.

We specialise in urban regeneration projects within prime and emerging locations in and around London. We are pleased to support Mosaic in its outstanding mentoring work with former offenders within the Muslim community.

www.henleyhomes.co.uk