Merc x HARP Collab

At MERC, we are delighted to announce that we are working with HARP (Our local Homeless charity).

Our Director Raihan Uddin has started doing weekly runs with some of the members of HAPR, across Southend Jubilee beach, and it has been a fantastic start to our venture.

We successfully ran a distance of 2.18km with a total run time of 13 minutes and 56 seconds, battling some windy conditions, which made the run become a bit of an adventure. 

Raihan and Antony were both fasting as Raihan was keeping his spirits high during the holy month of Ramadan, and Antony was observing Lent.

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, commemorating the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad. Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from food, drink, and smoking to cultivate self-discipline, gratitude, and compassion. The month focuses on prayer, charity, and community, concluding with the festival of Eid al-Fitr.

 Lent is a solemn 40-day Christian liturgical season of fasting, prayer, and penance, beginning on Ash Wednesday and concluding before Easter. It commemorates Jesus Christ's 40 days of fasting in the desert, serving as a time for self-discipline, reflection, and preparation for Easter.

Everyone connected to MERC is proud that we are connecting with people from different faith groups, including the wider community. This is our biggest mission. 

MERC hopes to continue to build a long and lasting relationship with HARP, as homelessness is on the rise, and the need to support people getting back to their feet has never been greater.