NEARLY £1,500 has been raised so far by Bolton volunteers selling chocolate fudge cakes to help people affected by the Syrian crisis.

The fundraising scheme — which runs throughout the month of Ramadan — is generating cash for Islamic Relief’s Syria Appeal.

Cakes4Syria has sold nearly 10,000 cakes across the UK, raising nearly £50,000 for stricken Syrians.

Since the appeal began, 296 of the cakes — which cost £10, with £5 going to the appeal — had been sold in Bolton, with 51 bought in Bury.

The chance to buy the cakes ends when Ramadan finishes on either July 27 or 28. An estimated six million Syrians are in need of humanitarian aid.

Bolton volunteer Shamim Abduallah, aged 44, from Deane, said: “It’s important during Ramadan to keep active and continue as normal, so driving around delivering cakes is a positive action.

“All the volunteers have a passion to help people in Syria, even though we don’t know the actual people the cakes are helping.

“We’re all so grateful to have our families safe and enough clothes and food. Here’s hoping the cakes bring relief and Cakes4Syria is bigger and better this year.”

The Ramadan fundraising scheme was launched in Bradford last year as the UK’s Muslims became increasingly concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria.

Famous cake buyers so far include Channel 4 broadcaster Jon Snow and political journalist and author Mehdi Hasan.

Islamic Relief’s North West organiser, Ateeq Salik, said: “This is an idea that came from the grass roots, from our volunteers, and the response has been just fantastic.

“We’re well on the way to smashing our fundraising goals for Cakes4Syria this year, which means more money going to support Syrians who are in huge need.”

Islamic Relief is an international aid and development charity that aims to alleviate the suffering of the world’s poorest people in more than 30 countries, mainly in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

More than 2,000 cakes have been sold so far in the North West. They can be ordered by calling 01274 952144 or texting 07511 724372 between noon and 8pm.

Deliveries take place on Sundays and Thursdays until Ramadan ends.