Pramod Thomas is a senior correspondent with Asian Media Group since 2020, bringing 19 years of journalism experience across business, politics, sports, communities, and international relations. His career spans both traditional and digital media platforms, with eight years specifically focused on digital journalism. This blend of experience positions him well to navigate the evolving media landscape and deliver content across various formats. He has worked with national and international media organisations, giving him a broad perspective on global news trends and reporting standards.
A fundraiser started in the name of a Prescot pharmacist who died of Covid-19 has raised over £9,000 in just a few days.
Now, using the fund a new school will be built in an impoverished, rural area of Pakistan, and it will be named after Sana Masood, 30, who worked at Neil’s Pharmacy in Prescot, Merseyside.
She had type 1 diabetes and breathed her last on April 1.
Masood was initially admitted to hospital following severe uneasiness. However, following complications, she was immediately transferred to
intensive care, but did not recover.
She was a pre-registration student at Neils where she continued
to work regularly after qualifying as a pharmacist.
The Liverpool John Moores pharmacy graduate is survived by her husband, Azam, her mother and two brothers.
The campaign had initially aimed to raise £2,500 to fund the costs of building a single classroom in Pakistan. However, £2,000 was raised in the first 24 hours of the campaign. The family have since increased the target and now £9,425 has been raised in Masood's name.
The fundraiser will last throughout the month of Ramadan, and any extra proceeds will be donated to Diabetes UK – a condition Masood lived with from childhood, reports said.
“Sana’s life as a pharmacist focused on supporting and caring for patients. Her loss is not only a tragedy for her family, friends and colleagues, but also for all the patients she helped during her career,"said Paul Bennett, CEO, Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
“Sana was extremely hard working herself and wanted the best for others. Education is the key to unlock opportunities and building a school in her name is something that would reflect her life and the values she lived by," said Ambreen Ghaffur, Masood’s best friend, who runs the fundraiser.
Starmer says the grooming gang inquiry will not be “watered down”
The prime minister confirmed Dame Louise Casey will work with the inquiry
Four survivors have quit the panel, raising concerns over its remit
The inquiry is still finalising its terms and chair
PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer has said the national grooming gang inquiry will not be “watered down” and will examine racial and religious motives, after a fourth survivor quit the panel.
He was questioned at Prime Minister’s Questions by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who said survivors feared the inquiry was being diluted and their voices silenced.
Quoting survivors, Badenoch said they believed it would “downplay the racial and religious motivations behind their abuse” and asked: “Aren’t the victims right when they call it a cover-up?”
Starmer said survivors had been ignored for many years and that “injustice will have no place to hide.”
He confirmed Dame Louise Casey, whose report recommended a statutory inquiry, would now be working with it. He invited those who had quit to rejoin, adding: “We owe it to them to answer their concerns.”
Jess, not her real name, became the fourth survivor to step down, joining Fiona Goddard, Ellie Reynolds and Elizabeth. Her lawyer Amy Clowrey confirmed her resignation.
Another survivor, Samantha Walker-Roberts, told the BBC she would stay on the panel and wanted the inquiry’s remit widened beyond grooming.
The inquiry, announced in June, is still finalising its terms and chair.
One potential chair, Annie Hudson, withdrew earlier this week over conflict of interest concerns linked to her social work background, while another nominee, former police chief and child abuse expert Jim Gamble, met survivors on Tuesday.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.