Community unites for Club Doncaster Foundation’s Community Iftar

More than 100 people from across Doncaster, including HM Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Hilary Chapman and Mayor Ros Jones came together to celebrate community, connection and culture at this year’s Club Doncaster Foundation Community Iftar.

Held during the holy month of Ramadan, the event brought together people of all backgrounds to share food, conversation and understanding as the fast was broken at sunset. The evening provided a welcoming space for community partners and local residents to come together and learn more about the significance of Iftar within the Muslim faith.

Guests enjoyed a shared meal and heard from community representatives about the importance of Ramadan as a time of reflection, generosity and togetherness. The event also highlighted the power of football and sport to unite communities and create meaningful opportunities for people to connect.

We were honoured to be joined on the evening by HM Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire. Dame Hilary Chapman commented "It was a pleasure to attend the Community Iftar at the Eco-Power Stadium where we received the warmest of welcomes. 

"The messages of allyship and communities working together were reflected in the event where we ate together and met friends old and new; it was heart lifting.  

“It was wonderful to see so many of the Healthy Her ladies who I met recently and people from businesses and charities across the city. A wonderful evening which was a privilege to be part of."

The Community Iftar is part of the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to celebrating diversity and creating inclusive spaces where everyone in Doncaster feels welcome.

John Davis, CEO commented, "Events like our community Iftar show just how powerful sport can be in bringing people together.

"Football has a unique ability to connect communities, break down barriers and create shared experiences. 

“It was fantastic to see so many people from different backgrounds coming together to celebrate, learn from one another and strengthen the sense of community here in Doncaster.”

By bringing people together, the event demonstrated how simple moments of shared experience can help strengthen relationships and build greater understanding across the borough.

Akeela Mohammed (Healthy Her) commented, "Events like this show the very best of our communities. People of all backgrounds coming together in friendship, learning from one another and strengthening the respect and unity that make our society stronger." 

Foundation staff, volunteers and community partners worked together to ensure the evening was a success, helping to create a warm and friendly atmosphere for everyone who attended.

We would also like to place our thanks to the Healthy Her volunteers who worked alongside; Faith Kelliher, Morgan Turner, Matthew Newton, Jack Hallgate, Joshua Wraith and Dan Hutchinson from Club Doncaster Sports College and Carol Haith, Nat Mcormack and Michelle Howe from our Fit Rovers volunteer committee. 

Finally, we would like to thank the Common Ground Award and the Daparian Foundation for their funding and donations that supported the running of the event, along with the organising committee of the Ethnic Fusion Network, Doncaster Council Imam Alli and Councillor Majid Khan. 

Images from the night were provided by Faith Kelliher.