FOUNDATION SUPPORTS LEUKAEMIA UNIT

When Dudley taxi boss Shaz Saleem had a vision to honour the work of his grandad by setting up his own charity he couldn't have expected the progress made to date. He initially enlisted the services of former borough Mayor and Mayoress Councillor Steve and Jayne Waltho to be Chair and Secretary then set about recruiting a board of trustees including former Miss Black Country Alexandra Darby. The Saleem Foundation was given charitable status in April 2019 and since then have focussed on topical awareness campaigns on subjects such as Mental Health, Breast Cancer, Domestic Violence and Dementia producing award winning short films. They have also been gathering funds to utilise for the benefit of others.

Founder Shaz Saleem explains "The success of my Foundation idea in honour of my grandad who spent his life serving others has already surpassed expectations. We are now in a position to support other causes and will be shortly announcing a small grants regime focussing on younger people that individuals can apply for to further develop their projects that have community benefit to others. Meanwhile the trustees agreed to nominate a charity of the year and decided on the Leukaemia Fund which supports the Georgina Unit at Russells Hall hospital. Throughout the year we'll be holding sponsored events to raise money for this wonderful cause. Steve and I have recently climbed Ben Nevis in memory of Dudley peace campaigner Bert Bissell to give the fund a start and I've just decided to do a parachute jump from 15000 feet in February 2021 and can be sponsored via my facebook page. I also welcome anyone who'd like to join me!"