Toy project volunteers 'pumped' to spread kindness

Atiq Rehman said the hospitals have been informed of the campaign and were "excited" to receive the donations

A man who has been on a mission to deliver toys to around 100 children’s hospital wards across the country said he was feeling “pumped”.

Atiq Rehman, from Peterborough, is a mental health campaigner and poet who runs Unspoken Word - a platform that aims to give people a voice and offers mental health support.

On Thursday, along with dozens of volunteers, he went on the road to complete the Unspoken Toys project, which aims to deliver toys to as many hospitals across the country within 24 hours.

Mr Rehman said he was “grateful” to Peterborough's businesses and families for donating “hundreds of toys – they made it happen”.

Northampton General Hospital is among the 50 sites Atiq Rehman and visiting on Thursday

Previously, Mr Rehman said he hoped charitable acts such as this project would “change perceptions” of his Muslim community and “bring people together”.

Mr Rehman and his team began the project on Thursday morning at 09:00 BST and aimed to drop the toys to at least 50 hospitals across the country.

If the project goes to plan the last delivery would be at 06:00 BST on 16 August at Peterborough City Hospital.

“The hospitals have been informed and are very excited and appreciative of the gestures,” Mr Rehman said.

“I am so excited about this. Absolutely buzzing. It’s going to be historic.

“I look at these [projects] to give back to society but also hope my efforts can help bring positivity to my religion and my community.

“After all, charity is a part of my Islamic values and I am proud of it.”

As many as 50 hospitals will receive toys as part of the Unspoken Toys project