Story: Naeema Khan | Photo: Taibah Khan.
Al Nisa Sports and Grimesthorpe Institute organised a fund-raising Barbecue for women and children on Sunday 17th August 2008. Many people turned out on this sunny afternoon to support these community enterprises.
Cheryl Mahmoud heads Al Nisa Sports and Leisure, a community and social enterprise. She has a Second Degree Black belt in Kick-boxing and has held Commonwealth and world champion trophies in the past. The organisation has over 100 youngsters at their kick-boxing lessons. They also run women’s selfdefence courses. “We’ve got to the stage where we’re really big now and we need to find our own premises. We have been renting out halls which isn’t ideal because we can’t safely store our equipment. It’s not practical taking the equipment from place to place,” said Cheryl. “If anybody can help, please let us know.”
With 150 on the roll and 50 on the waiting list, the Grimesthorpe Institute teaches English A-level, Food & Hygiene and Business start-up courses in partnership with Sheffield College. It aims to target girls from a sheltered background where getting an education and training through the normal route of colleges would not be an option due to various social reasons. They also run Quran lessons after school.
“We’re looking to buy much-needed equipment for our Centre from any funds we raise,” said Mrs Sabia, of the Institute.