Iftikhar's Fundraising Page

As Salaamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

To all my respected brothers and sisters in the UK

First of all I would like to thank Allah (SWT) for blessing us life in this world.

I, Iftikhar Shaikh, son of Mr and Mrs Yunus & Mumtaz, Bandrawala, aged 29 arrived to the UK in 2020 as a spouse. Unfortunately due to personal circumstances the relationship broke down. I have since been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

Since then I have been living in the UK independently and have been in a Permanent fulltime job but due to ill health, I am no longer able to continue working.

Unfortunately my health deteriorated in 2021. After numerous investigations, I was given the terminal diagnosis of metastatic stage 4 stomach cancer. I underwent a long 6 hour operation on 9th May 2021 in the hope that the cancer could be removed but unfortunately it was discovered that it was too widespread and operating would have caused more harm than good, and therefore it was left untreated and I ended up with a stoma bag that will remain permanently. It has been a tough year where I have faced a number of difficult obstacles and setbacks.

I am on active chemotherapy treatment which is given with the intention of managing symptoms and not as a curative treatment. This in itself has been tough being on my own. Since this diagnosis I have been unable to cope as I need physical and moral support.

Alhamdulillah with the help of the Almighty and the continued support from my dear family members, I have been fortunate to have my beloved parents join me from India for a short period.

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all my family members/friends who have supported me throughout my journey so far.

Only Allah almighty knows best and I am not sure what lifespan I have left:

1. To continue with my health improvement I really do feel my parents have supported me with the tender loving care which has helped me with managing my physical and mental health needs.

2. Day by day I am living with fear, anxiety and low mood knowing the fact that my parents are not here with me for long. Without them being here with me I will definitely collapse as I will be lonely.

3. Both my parents are my devoted supporters as they will not eat if I am not well, will not travel anywhere until I feel better. Often I have low moments especially when I have had chemotherapy which takes a lot of energy out of me but they give me support physically and morally to stay strong and fight it through by sitting at my side, praying and doing lots of duaas. Their support means a lot as I can focus and cope with my difficulties.

4. To allow for my parents to continue living with me I need to make a fresh application to the Home Office on the grounds of receiving moral support. My parents visit visa is due to run out in January and I need to submit the application before the end of December.

5. I am looking for support to help me raise the funds to allow me to make an application for my parents to stay with me in this country whilst I continue my treatment.

6. The amount required for this application is in the region of £8,000. I hope and pray that Inshallah with your support my dear brothers and sisters, collectively these funds can be raised and inshallah my parents can remain with me. I thank you all in advance for your kind contributions and I pray that your efforts are rewarded with a place for you all in Jannat-ul-Firdaus. Ameen.

7. I am grateful to Allah SWT that through this means of communication, I am able to seek support and inshallah achieve my goal.

8. It has been very difficult for me to put all of this in writing and create this page but this is my only means of hope for raising these funds.

9. Please donate generously.

Jazakallahukhairan