A Night of Generosity, Community and Hope

Oasis Community Hub: Ashburton Park Charity Iftar

This Ramadan, we had the pleasure of hosting our first Oasis Hub Iftar for students and their families. It was a special evening that brought our students, staff and families together, connecting over food and shared experience.

Our school community, made up of people from many different backgrounds, faiths and cultures, did what we do best. We came together.

We held this Iftar in honour of Hamed, a much-loved Year 11 student who was involved in a serious accident earlier this year and remains in a coma. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with him and his family. When we learned how much Ramadan meant to him, we wanted to do something meaningful in his name.

In Islam, there is a concept called Sadaqah Jariyah (ongoing charity), whereby you can do good on behalf of someone else so that they may receive the reward. So, in this spirit, we raised nearly £900 for UNICEF’s Gaza Appeal. This was a fantastic achievement and a reflection of the generosity within our community.

We are incredibly grateful to the local businesses who supported the event and helped make the evening possible, as well as to our students and staff who contributed their time and effort.

But beyond the fundraising and the food, what stood out was the depth of connection. Young people serving others. Families meeting one another for the first time. Conversations that crossed cultures and generations. These are the building blocks of stronger, safer, more connected communities.

At Oasis, we often talk about creating spaces where people are seen, known and loved. Last week, that vision came to life. And perhaps that’s the real story here. In a world that can feel increasingly divided, this Iftar was a powerful reminder that unity is possible. That generosity flows. That young people, when given the chance, will lead with compassion and courage.

As Ramadan has now come to a close, we carry forward more than just the memory of a special evening. We carry a renewed commitment to building communities where everyone belongs, where faith and action meet, and where hope is made visible in the everyday. Because this is what happens when a community comes together.

We look forward to many more opportunities to come together and celebrate the diversity of our community.

Watch the highlights video here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/inZ8MpXh1ZY