A COUPLE who have campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness of the consequences of reckless driving since their 15-year-old son died in a tragic car crash have been nominated in the 2015 Community Stars Awards.

Amjad Malik and Uzma Sheikh have set up a campaign, Consequences of Reckless Driving, in memory of their son, in a bid to end the high death toll among passengers of young drivers.

Their son Saliq, a keen footballer, suffered serious head injuries, when the car in which he was a passenger, went out-of-control at speed and hit a parked car, a lamppost and a wall in Gilpin Street, Barkerend, in September last year. He died in hospital later that day.

The grieving parents have now been nominated in the volunteer and community champion categories of the awards, which honour those who go the extra mile to make a difference across the district.

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They were nominated by Rizwan Rehman, a community engagement officer at Bradford Council, who said: "Such tragedy would set back anyone for a lifetime, however they have both shown remarkable resolve, character and incredible strength to begin an active campaign to raise awareness of the consequences of careless driving.

"Their aim is to raise awareness so no other parent or loved one experiences the hurt, torment and devastation from losing a loved one in such tragic circumstances."

Mr Malik said he and his wife were honoured to be nominated for the awards.

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He said: "I was surprised to be nominated but am very chuffed. The campaign is going well and we are helping to raise awareness of the consequences of reckless driving."

Mr Malik has also set up an online petition on change.org calling for the prison sentence for driving cause death by reckless driving to ten years.

The 2015 Community Stars Awards are organised by the Telegraph & Argus and Bradford Council in an effort to ensure unsung heroes across the district are rewarded for their commitment.

Readers are asked to nominate deserving people and organisations in their neighbourhoods before Monday, September 28. They will then be whittled down by a panel of judges before it is back over to Bradfordians to vote for who they think is the most deserving from the shortlist of nominees.

Winners in the six categories – Volunteer, Good Neighbour, Community Group, Fundraiser, Community Champion, and Young Active Citizen – will be announced at a ceremony at City Hall on December 2, where they will each be presented with the Bradford Medal.