THE final award goes to Maggie Pearse for her "dedicated, determined and tireless" work with those seeking asylum in Bradford.

Maggie, together with her husband Barry, is one of the founding members of BIASAN - Bradford Immigration & Asylum Support & Advice Network - formed in 1999.

The group was launched at the ‘World in a City’ event at Bradford Festival to welcome newly arrived asylum seekers dispersed to Bradford.

Speaking on behalf of all at BIASAN, Amanda Mortimer said: "Maggie is the main driving force here – as coordinator, motivator and facilitator, she aims to bring people together from many countries, cultures and backgrounds to help each other, offering friendship, practical and emotional support.

"All at BIASAN are volunteers.

Maggie Pearse has won this well deserved award due to her many decades of dedicated, determined and tireless community and campaigning work – towards a more equal and fair society.

"Her motivation has always been to help others achieve a better life."

Taking place at Bradford Deaf Centre, BIASAN holds a weekly social drop-in and offers a range of support and services that change the lives of others.

From supper, a women and children’s club and English lessons to free legal advice and counselling, BIASAN is a lifeline for those who use their service.

Maggie is also behind a storage unit for distributing donated clothing and household items, cultural and creative activities, a gardening club, seaside trips, stays in the Yorkshire Dales, gym sessions, campaigning work and much more.

Maggie's story begins in County Durham where she was born and brought up in the town of Stanley.

Since the age of 16, Maggie has been a Labour Movement activist campaigning for equality and justice.

Since moving to Bradford in 1976, she has worked in a community outreach role at Fairfax School, Bierley as well as at Gingerbread, supporting single parents.

Maggie also took up a role at Bradford College as a community work lecturer for 21 years, helping students develop their full potential and value as members of society.

In other parts of her life, Maggie worked as a volunteer and main campaigner for Child Poverty Action Group and sat on Bradford Resource Centre Management Committee, aiming to provide resources for democracy.

Amanda told the Telegraph & Argus: "Despite ongoing health problems, Maggie has soldiered on through the Covid-19 pandemic, taking part in BIASAN weekly food deliveries to those most in need, and she recently secured a £10,000 grant to fund this and other support services – we rely soley on grants and donations. The work continues."

If you would like to find out how to get involved with any projects or schemes mentioned in this article, email bradfordbiasan@gmail.com or

majicfirez@hotmail.com

You can also find the group on Facebook under 'BiasanYorkshire'