The Nottinghamshire-based pharmacist is running 240km this Ramadan, after last year completing 500km cycling during the month. 

“I’ve increased it over the years, starting off with 180km then 210km,” says the 53-year-old dad of four. 

“I had the foot injury last year so I couldn’t do the runs. It was a slow, long recovery and hopefully it doesn’t flare up again. The backup plan will be to cycle if it does.” 

Read more: ‘I feel ecstatic!’: £14k raised by fasting pharmacist for Gaza during Ramadan 

Last year, Akhtar raised a whooping £14,622.56, but in 2024 he went even further in raising £22,729.95, adding up to a total of over £40k raised across all the challenges he’s done during Ramadan.  

“It’s mind-blowing for me that it’s possible I get this amazing support. It’s fantastic.” 

This year, Akhtar is raising money for the charity Muslim Hands UK who will be using his donations to give food parcels and cash to people in Palestine. 

“The situation is so dire out there. They’re being neglected and what’s happened has been horrendous.

Read more: Fasting pharmacist raises money for Gaza during Ramadan with a 450km bike challenge 

“Watching it unfold in front of you, my heart goes out to those people because they’ve been through stuff they shouldn’t have."

A £65 donation can give a two-week supply of food, while £8 will cover the cost of an olive tree and £40 for a child’s Eid clothes. 

There is a sewing machine sponsorship too, that’s aiming to raise £700. 

Read more: The fastest fasting pharmacist smashes challenge ahead of time and sets new target  

“It’s a 100% donation policy so Muslim Hands UK don’t touch a penny of anybody’s donation. Muslim Hands UK have teamed up with people over in Palestine and they’ll be going themselves and handing donations over.”

The charity said any donations made before February 23 will be delivered to the people of Palestine during Ramadan, while any donations after that date will be distributed after Ramadan. 

He jokes that despite it being his fourth year taking part, he feels “older” but overall “pretty good” health wise from taking on these challenges. 

Read more: The fastest fasting pharmacist in the UK 

“This is eight kilometres a day. The running will happen while I’m fasting and if everything goes to plan, it’ll be before I break the fast. It’ll be probably one to two hours before I break my fast. That last bit, I use that to push on. People are welcome to join me!”  

Akhtar’s appeal can be found here.