A TAMESIDE doctor and charity worker got the surprise of her life after being nominated for a ‘Takeaway Getaway’ on the popular ITV show, Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway (SNT).
Close friends of Ashton-based Dr Shameela Islam-Zulfiqar felt she deserved a break after all her hard work during the pandemic and hatched a plan with that in mind.
An NHS reservist doctor throughout lockdown, she continued her vital work for Tameside charity Syria Relief which provides crucial support like medical supplies, food, water and shelter to people in the war-torn country.
She also helped her team set up the Tameside Covid Emergency Response (TCER) at the height of coronavirus to provide essentials for elderly, vulnerable and isolating members of the community.
Dr Islam-Zulfiqar had no idea what was happening until host Declan Donnelly announced to millions of viewers: “As a doctor you travelled to war torn countries to help refugees.
“You also set up the Tameside Covid Emergency Response to help your community during lockdown. You deserve a break, and we are giving you a takeaway getaway.”
Speaking to The Correspondent from the Syria-Lebanon border, Dr Islam-Zulfiqar said: “I had no idea what was happening. I was hosting my own online charity event at the same time as Takeaway.
“I’d never watched the programme before, and my children basically conned me and said we’d won free tickets to be in the live audience and that I had to show my face for five minutes.
“It was fun, but I felt like I was skiving from my own event. It was such a shock when they made the announcement but in a good way. It was so surreal. I am still trying to process the experience.
“I would just like to thank everyone, but especially Sonia Idris for nominating me for this wonderful break away. I cannot express in words how much her kind gesture meant to me.
“I’m not sure where or when I’ll be travelling yet, but I’m grateful to everyone who facilitated this gift, ITV, Ant & Dec and all the producing team. I am very overwhelmed and very grateful to you all.”
• If you would like to find out more about the work that Dr Islam-Zulfiqar does for Syria Relief and TCER, or to donate, visit syriasupport.com or covidemergencyresponse.com