Children as young as five from Wimbledon and Raynes Park will take part in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association's 33rd annual 'Mercy4Mankind' Charity Challenge this weekend (August 19).

They will be joining others from the organisation (AMYA) in Fitz Park, Keswick this Saturday, In previous years, young Muslims from across the UK have completed the challenge in locations as varied as Hyde Park, Hampshire and the Yorkshire Dales. 700 people will be taking part in the Lake District half-marathon on Saturday, to promote Islam’s peaceful and charitable values, and to dispel myths about their religion.

This year, the AMYA will be fundraising for charities such as The Royal British Legion and Save the Children.

The AMYA has raised over £2 million for UK charities since its creation in 1938.

Aamer Hafeez, a local AMYA Regional Youth Leader, says: “We are travelling all the way from Putney because nowadays people have many misconceptions about Islam and we want to show the true teachings of Islam.

“We raise hundreds of thousands of pounds every year for British charities. This year again, many of us are travelling to the Lake for the Mercy for Mankind Charity Challenge to raise funds for the most needy in our society without any distinction of faith, colour or creed.”