Mela bazaar boosts surgeon's hospital quest (From Stourbridge News)

Mela bazaar boosts surgeon's hospital quest

3:17pm Monday 4th February 2008 in Local By Bev Holder

A MELA Bazaar in Lye has raised £2,100 towards a big-hearted borough doctor's campaign to build a £1m charity hospital for impoverished villagers in Pakistan.

Atiq-ur Rehman, a consultant surgeon at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley, is still on course to open Bewal International Hospital in his home village of Bewal, in Tehsil Gujar Khan, by the end of the year.

Donations and a host of fundraisers over the last 12 months have helped rake in more than £350,000 towards making his ambitious dream a reality, and the latest - a Mela Bazaar at Ghausia Community Centre in Lye - provided another boost.

Mr Rehman's sister Fouzia Umbrine, a teacher at Wollescote Primary School, organised the event on Saturday February 2 - selling an array of Asian clothes, jewellery and food.

It was the second year running that she has laid-on the bazaar to help raise cash for her brother's campaign, which has been named the Abdul Rehman Memorial Trust in memory of their father.

Mr Rehman, from Chapel Street in Lye, said: "It was really a very good event, well supported by the community."

Stourbridge MP Lynda Waltho, who attended the event, said: "There was a great atmosphere at Mela with lots of beautiful clothes, scarves, ornaments, jewellery and good food to tempt all tastes and pockets.

"Everybody contributed to the success of the whole day and there was a great deal of support and admiration for Dr Rehman and the great feat that he is taking on."

Mr Rehman, who flew out to Pakistan in December to see how the hospital is taking shape, hopes to start offering outpatient, emergency and maternity services later this year.

Anyone wishing to donate to his appeal, can send cheques payable to ARM Trust, to the Stourbridge News offices, St Johns House, St Johns Road, Stourbridge, DY8 1EH or pay directly into HSBC account -22153904, sort coe 40-43-17.