A BLIND Bradfordian, who describes himself as a "fighter", has received a prestigious award after tackling tough mountains and cycling the coast-to-coast twice.

Hassan Hayat, 25, was a presented with a YAYA (Yorkshire Asian Young Achievers) award in the Achievement in Overcoming Life Obstacles category for his efforts.

The student, who is training to be a gym instructor at Henshaw's Specialist College in Harrogate, has Alstrom Syndrome.

It is a degenerative disorder characterised by vision and hearing loss, obesity and diabetes.

Mr Hayat is registered blind and lost his sight at 13.

But that hasn't stopped him from venturing up Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, and Pen-y-ghent, one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, over the last few years.

The 25-year-old has also battled through 260 miles of roads and hills, in total, by completing not one, but two coast-to-coast challenges on a tandem bike.

Alongside these endeavours, Mr Hayat enjoys fundraising, taking part in veer goalball, blind cricket, karate and training himself and others in the gym.

Mr Hayat's talents don't end with sport though.

He has also produced several podcasts for the University of Bradford's RamAir.

Mr Hayat said: “At the end of the day, I’m a fighter.

"I don’t like to let anything hold me back and I want to show other people what can be done.

"I have climbed Snowdon and Pen-y-ghent and am planning to do Ben Nevis next year.

"I enjoy cycling and the walks are great fun too.

“I think you have to fight for yourself, to challenge obstacles and overcome barriers.

"What I would say to other people like me is, don’t say you cannot do something, say yes you can.

"We’re all believers.”

Mr Hayat had aimed to climb Ben Nevis - the tallest mountain in the United Kingdom at 1,345 metres - this year, but the coronavirus pandemic ruined that.

The walk will instead take place in 2021 and Mr Hayat is also looking forward to his next challenge.

The 25-year-old is aiming to cycle from Bradford to Hull, before catching a ferry across the North Sea to continue his ride around the Netherlands and Belgium.

Adam Tasker, University of Bradford Student Development Leader and a close friend of Mr Hayat said: “Hassan is a joy to be around, his constant enthusiasm and optimism boosts the spirits of those around him.

"He's thrown himself into cycling, hiking, and numerous other sports and before Covid hit, he was organising a national sporting event at the University for people with Alstrom Syndrome.

"He has also given a presentation on healthy eating to students.”

Mr Hayat's dad, Kez, said Mr Tasker is doing a "phenomenal job" in his role, by offering a great number of opportunities to young people.

He added: "The care, compassion and his person-centred approach is exemplary and it has had such a positive impact on Hassan’s life - it truly has opened many doors and created great opportunities for all the young people Adam works with.”