A SPORTING legend shocked two youngsters who head up a project on mental health by presenting them with an award on national TV.

Hasnain Shafiq and Muhammed Ali Islam co-founded Youth Cutz, based in Wood Street, an organisation where people can come for a free haircut and speak about their feelings and mental health.

They have now been rewarded with ITV Good Morning Britain’s mental health loneliness champions award.

The pair were handed the award in a surprise reveal by former heavyweight boxing legend Frank Bruno in Bradford yesterday.

 

Frank paid tribute to the pair, saying their Young Cutz work was 'very, very important' and they were doing a good job.

They appeared live on TV alongside Sofia Buncy DL, producer of Young in Covid, a film featuring Bradford youngsters, which had its premiere in the city earlier this year.

Muhammed said: "It’s unbelievable to get recognition for leading on the Young in Covid film and our barber’s shop from Frank Bruno.

"He is someone who has publicly struggled and spoken about his own mental health challenges.

"He’s a legendary heavyweight champion so if he can talk about it then it inspires us to also continue the conversation. As a boxer myself, he’s a real hero of mine and one the greatest.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: From left, Marium Zumeer, PC Ali, Numan Arain, Sofia Buncy DL, Hasnain Shafiq, Alex Beresford (GMB presenter), Frank Bruno, Ali Islam, Umaimah Siddique and Sharat HussainFrom left, Marium Zumeer, PC Ali, Numan Arain, Sofia Buncy DL, Hasnain Shafiq, Alex Beresford (GMB presenter), Frank Bruno, Ali Islam, Umaimah Siddique and Sharat Hussain

Hasnain said: "It has been a year of endless hard work and campaigning for us on young peoples mental health in Bradford through Young in Covid & Youth Cutz.

"It’s good to be recognised and it shows how much of a difference projects like ours can make in the lives of Young people not just in Bradford but across the country.

"Young people need to be supported to do more."

Ms Buncy said: "This award is incredible for Bradford. It puts Bradford on the map for something positive.

"It is a group effort with young people involved.

"I think it's testament to the work that has been put in around mental health issues, not just in Bradford but across the board.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The award that the pair won from Good Morning BritainThe award that the pair won from Good Morning Britain

"Young in Covid and the subsequent Youth Cutz initiative that came out of this has demonstrated the national reach that small grassroots based initiatives are having.

"Young people need to be nurtured and creativity and ownership needs to come from them to develop community-led solutions to recovery but more importantly mental health initiatives that work.

"We are extremely proud that Young in Covid and Youth Cutz’ passion, determination and diligence has achieved national recognition for them and the City of Bradford from Good Morning Britain."