TWO hard workers from Bradford are delighted to have received national awards for helping disadvantaged people in the district.

Imran Rathore and Sasha Bhat are two of 38 people across England to be named as public sector heroes.

Mr Rathore, interim programme lead for Bradford Council, was given his award in the Keep It Local category for his work on a project helping disadvantaged families with understanding finances and budgeting.

He helped secure funding for the Money Action Project which trains people up from disadvantaged areas in Bradford. They will then offer financial advice, including tips on budgeting and money saving, for other disadvantaged people in the district.

Mr Rathore, 43, said: "I'm really chuffed about it.

"But it is Bradford Council getting the award, not me.

"It is a project which helps a lot of people offering them financial advice."

Ms Bhat, 30, who is head of engagement and experience at NHS Bradford City and NHS Bradford Districts clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), was shortlisted for her work on a project helping to deal with health inequalities among people, particularly from Bradford South.

They are vulnerable people including housebound and those living in poverty.

She said: "It is really humbling to win this award.

"The Localities project is about working with vulnerable people and to empower communities.

"It is about tapping into community spirit.

"We want to help people live healthier and better lives."

They received their awards from Bradford Council chief executive Kersten England at City Hall.

The heroes were honoured for supporting localism, growing community enterprise, promoting social justice and backing the principles of Locality's national Keep It Local campaign, to put communities at the heart of delivering public services.

Locality is a national network of ambitious and enterprising community-led organisations, working to help neighbourhoods.

Royds Community Association nominated the pair for the awards with Ysustain Limited also shortlisting Ms Bhat for her award.

Councillor Arshad Hussain, Bradford Council's executive member for neighbourhoods and community safety, said: "This is a well deserved award for Imran as he has worked hard to make sure that vulnerable families are able to deal with the financial challenges they face."

Dr Richard Haddad, GP lead for engagement at NHS Bradford Districts CCG, said: "I'm delighted that Sasha’s tireless community engagement work has been recognised by this award.

"In a typically unassuming manner, she encourages people to develop innovative ways of working together to get better outcomes for patients and young people to keep them healthy and prevent illness, so that everyone has a voice about NHS care and local services.

"Living in a disadvantaged community is no barrier to people getting involved in the local NHS and improving their own and other people’s health, and Sasha has proved this with her energy and ideas which inspire people."