Workers and supporters of Madihas Ethnic Trendz independent fashion store in Burton have completed a charity walk to celebrate Pakistan Independence Day.

Around 18 people walked for five miles around Burton and the nearby Trent Washlands, and more than £1,500 was raised from donations on Monday, August 14, which marked the 70 year anniversary of Pakistan's independence.

The money will fund roughly 80 school kits for children in Pakistan who are in need through charity group, Karwan Development Foundation.

Madiha Jamil, the owner of Ethnic Trendz, off Heritage Street, in Burton, organised the event said: "Eighteen of us went on a walk, completely for charity around Burton. We mainly went around the Washlands, five miles in all.

"We did it to celebrate Pakistan Independence day and to raise money for children worse off in Pakistan. The money will get school uniforms, bags and lights for when the power goes out.

"As a Muslim, it is one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith to give to charity and help those in need so these fundraising events help me. It brings me a lot of peace, that I have played some small part in helping those who cannot help themselves."

Representative from Karwan Development Foundation in Pakistan, Usman Wajahat has said what the money will go towards.

Mr Wajahat said: "The fund-raising in Burton is to collect funds to provide school kits to newly enrolled students in Tharparker, Sindh, Pakistan. Here, the literacy rate is very low. This is actually a desert area of Pakistan.

"Electricity is very limited, and in most of the schools, there are just one or two rooms for five different grades. Due to poverty, students do not have uniforms and do not have school shoes.

"We are thankful to Madiha Jamil who is running her small business, and knows about the work that Karwan do. The collection of £1,512 will support 80 students in Tharparker in a government school."

The impressive amount of money raised will buy uniforms, shoes, school bags, solar lights and basic stationery for 80 needy children in Pakistan.

Mr Wajahat said: "Because the basic problem of the area is low literacy rates, we have started supporting schools in Tharparker. We distributed school kits last year to 250 students in two schools, it was very encouraging to know that after distribution of the school kit, enrolment increase by 30 per cent.

"Students feel proud to wear a uniform and shoes in the area where they don’t have proper clothes and anything to wear on their feet. Keeping in view the success of the last year, we want to support more students to increase their interest in joining schools."