SOCIAL worker Mr Malcolm Jones took on a marathon feat to raise money for a Bury family being threatened with deportation.

The 36-year-old ran the London Marathon and raised £200 for the Iqbal family after becoming involved in their plight earlier this year.

Mr Javed Iqbal, his wife Samia and their two boys, fled their homeland six years ago and set up life in Bury.

Since then they have had two other children. Talha (8) and Usama (10) are now at St Chad's CE Junior School while British born Ameena (6) attends Fishpool County Infants School. Their sister Aneesa is one.

Last year the family's life was shattered when they were told by Home Office officials that they would have to leave the country.

Since then a high profile campaign has swung into action to keep the family in this country. Mr Jones, of Bolton, became involved with the campaign through his partner Miss Lynn Grant who works as a support teacher in Bury.

He explained: "Lynn has seen for herself the upset the threat of deportation causes. Children are forced to leave the school they attend and start a new life, which they are not used to, elsewhere."

Mr Jones said he was amazed at the support the family has received locally. So far Mr Iqbal, of Alfred Street, has won the backing of Bury Council and Bury North MP Mr David Chaytor.

While at the marathon Mr Jones said: "People came up to me and said they supported the cause - these were people who didn't even know the family! The money will be used to pay for administration fees necessary to keep the campaign going."

He added: "Public support really works and can stop families being deported."

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