(The Asian Independent)
A mother and son have teamed up to help raise funds for NHS Charities Together.
Malika Kapasi and her nine-year-old son Ayaan have taken up the challenge to run/walk 1000 km between 1st May and 31st August, that’s an average of 10km daily over this four-month period. Prior to taking up this challenge, Malika had been training for the Manchester Marathon which was halted by Covid-19.
Ayaan was just three when he had an open-heart surgery and ever since his parents, Malika and Mushtaq have been grateful to the surgeons, doctors, nurses and NHS staff who looked after him at all stages of their journey.
As of this week, Malika and Ayaan have already covered 968 km and have so far raised just under £1,000.
“A lot of people have supported and encouraged us and it is the community spirit that has kept us going, “ said Malika. “We would really like to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts who has supported us on this journey so far,” she added.
The Kapasi’s live in Stretford, a historic market town in Greater Manchester. Ayaan attends Victoria Park Junior School where he is looking forward to starting Year 5 next month, subject to Government guidance and advice on the safe opening of schools.
Malika hails from Gujarat state in India. She came to British shores in 2004 and holds a BSc degree in Civil Engineering from CEPT University, Ahmedabad, India and a Master’s degree in Construction Project Management from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. She joined construction company Balfour Beatty in September 2018 and currently works as a Senior Planner. Asked what she enjoys most about her job, “the process of planning projects and seeing them evolve from a line on the paper to structures that will form part of the built environment ”. She explained: “Planning is one of those fields that requires both the analytical and creative sides of the brain to function simultaneously to come up with the best solution possible. I have been a construction planner for over 10 years and I love my job.”
Malika’s ancestral roots lie in central India and she comes from a multi-cultural family, with her father and uncles serving the nation in the Indian Army and Navy. She became part of the Dawoodi Bohra community when she married Mushtaq Kapasi. Dawoodi Bohras, a sect of Islam, mostly originate from the north west Indian state of Gujarat. The name ‘Bohra’ comes from the Gujarati word ‘vohra’ which means trader; for the community essentially was then and remains an enterprising and entrepreneurial community although a substantial number, mainly the younger generations, have branched out into all professional sectors)
NHS Charities Together is a membership organisation representing, supporting and championing NHS Charities which provides a forum for nationwide fundraising and advocacy campaigns. To find out more visit
If you wish to support Malika and Ayaan in their challenge, please consider making a donation by visiting www.justgiving.com/
