A POPULAR Kendal business owner will be trekking for ten days to raise £2,000 to help educate girls in his native Pakistan after he was inspired by a story in the Gazette.

Market Place newsagent's Mohammed Iqbal Sharif is taking part on the Abaseen Foundation's fundraising challenge to the Hindu Kush area of north western Pakistan.

“Pakistan is where my family come from but I had not heard about Abaseen Foundation until I read in the Westmorland Gazette about two Kendal residents who went on last year’s trek," the 57-year-old said. "I decided I wanted to get involved to help."

A small Lancaster-based charity, the Abaseen foundation raises money for girls' education in the Kyber Pakhtunhwa province of north western Pakistan.

The fundraising target for the Hindu Kush trek is £30,000, which will be used towards completing new classrooms.

The charity also provides health care for the communities near its schools.

Mr Sharif, who lives in Blackburn, says he has been really 'taken' by the amount of interest the people of Kendal have shown towards the work of the Abaseen Foundation does.

Floods, earthquakes and global terrorism have resulted in north western Pakistan being one of the most destitute and dangerous areas in the world, and the foundation aims to relieve this as much as possible, placing special emphasis on educating girls.

“My customers are so interested in the trip I am about to take. They keep asking when I am going and want to hear about it when I get back," Mr Sharif said.

“One lady who always buys her papers from me gave me £50 last week. I was really moved by her kind generosity."

If you wish to donate, Mr Sharif has a donation box in his shop, or go to www.abaseenfoundation.org.uk