PC thanks hospital after son's cancer care

Abu Bakr, 10, presented a £1,680 cheque to the hospital which was raised by West Midlands Association of Muslim Police (WM AMP)

A police officer has helped raise thousands of pounds for a children's hospital which treated his son for cancer.

PC Mohammed Azam of West Midlands Police thanked Birmingham Children's Hospital (BCH) which begun treating his 10-year-old son Abu Bakr in 2019.

The officer is a member of the West Midlands Association of Muslim Police (WM AMP) which held a fun day raising money for the hospital and the Islamic Help charity.

Abu Bakr, who marked completing his inpatient care at the hospital last week, helped hand over a cheque for £1,685 to the hospital, as part of the WM AMP's donation this year.

WM AMP has raised more than £10,875 for the two charities so far this year, the force said.

Abu Bakr rung the bell on ward 18 to celebrate finishing his inpatient treatment on and was clapped by well wishers including chief constable Craig Guildford.

The 10-year-old, who plans to follow in his father's footsteps and become a police officer, also marked the day by being a "police ambassador" and presenting the donation.

"Seeing Abu Bakr visit Waterfall House (at BCH) as a police ambassador was amazing," said PC Azam, who is part of the Kings Norton neighbourhood policing team.

"The staff there are great and as parents, my family and I will forever be grateful to them.

“I want to pay credit to the force, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and everyone for supporting me throughout. In particular, WM AMP for this gesture – I will never forget this day.”

Insp Adhnan Afzal, WM AMP members’ lead, said: “It’s great to see our community day have such a meaningful reach.

“It’s all about Abu Bakr and we thank him for bravely presenting the cheque, on our behalf, to such a good cause.”