SHE’S skydived over iconic sites, climbed to Everest base camp and trekked the ‘killer mountain’ of Pakistan – and all for charity.
But nothing quite prepared Redditch’s Taz Habib for the moment when she was invited to officially open a room named in her honour at one of the hospitals where the thousands she has raised have been spent.
“It was quite a moment, and it was great to see where the money has gone,” said the former Head Girl of Bridley Moor High School.
“My parents were both with me and I think they were proud of what’s been achieved.”
Some of the UK-based events fundraising for the charity.
Taz’s fundraising efforts have gone to help the Imran Khan Cancer Appeal which provides free cancer treatment for the poor of Pakistan.
Imran Khan is now the Prime Minister of Pakistan but he first caught the eye of the former Head Girl of Bridley Moor High School when he was blazing a trail on the international cricket field.
Now a cancer drug specialist working for Astra Zeneca in Maryland, USA, in her spare time Taz has combined her love of adventure with raising money for the cause, as well as donating a monthly salary sacrifice to the charity.
“The Imran Khan Cancer Appeal funds hospitals in Pakistan,” said Taz, whose mum and dad live in Batchley.
“These hospitals provide free cancer treatment for patients and I was invited to the Peshawar Hospital in Khyber Pukthunkwa province, where I am from.
“The ceremony involved cutting a ribbon for a room which was sponsored by the funds I have raised for the charity.
“It made me even more focused to do more for the charity to help underprivileged cancer patients.”
The room, in the histology department, carries a plaque bearing Taz’s name and a citation expressing thanks to her.
And while Covid has temporarily put paid to her globetrotting fundraising, she’s already planning a trip to K2 base camp in the Himalayas or, failing that, a cycling challenge in the UK.
For more on UK fundraising for the charity visit: https://www.ikca.org.uk/
