A GROUP of Bradfordians who put their dreams of creating a better world into community activism have won a prestigious award.
Bradford4Better was honoured with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service over the weekend.
The community group started in Inayah Sher’s dining room back in 2019.
Inayah wanted to start a clean-up campaign to honour her late father who took pride in his neighbourhood.
It was also a Facebook group, where people could come together on issues facing the district and discuss with neighbours.
Years later, Bradford4Better’s dedicated volunteers have fought for residents in a number of campaigns.
The organisation has spoken out about dangerous driving habits, anti-social fireworks, littering and fly-tipping, and much more.
Projects include Don’t Mess with Bradford, aimed at making people take pride in their city and keep it clean, green, and safe.
The group, made up entirely of volunteers, also organises an annual litter pick to clear streets across the district.
Meanwhile ‘Bradford Lifesavers’ help teach basic life support for free.
Secretary Kashif Ahmed said: “We are deeply honoured to receive this esteemed recognition, which serves as an affirmation of our unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in our community.
"The award ceremony was a heartening celebration of our origin, evolution and achievements as well as a recognition of volunteers in the community. Such recognition galvanises us to continue working towards a cleaner, greener, safer and better Bradford.”
Dr Sohail Ahmed, the group's chair, added: "This award is the for all our amazing volunteers, we have been inspired to make Bradford even better following this special recognition.”
Ed Anderson CBE, HM Lord-Lieutenant for West Yorkshire, bestowed the King’s Award for Voluntary Service as well as the Kings Award crystal, on Saturday (April 27).
Gathered together at Carlisle Business Centre, the special day also marked the inaugural B4B Awards 2024.
Among those recognised in Bradford4Better’s awards was Sami Ahmed, who lost his life in a tragic accident in the Lake District in July 2022.
His father, Khalil, accepted the Inspirational Young Person award on his behalf.
The award will be dedicated in his name for all future recipients.
Khalil has also set up a GoFundMe page to support charitable activities in Sami’s name.
People can donate by visiting the page at https://gofund.me/60763ba5
Those recognised included Inayah Sher (Voluntary Service), Shadim Hussain (Voluntary Service), the Young in COVID Team (Inspirational Young People), Tony Fernandez (Voluntary Service), Razwan Ul Haq (Arts), Tahira Amin (Healthcare), Aisha Hussain (Empowering Women), Pishdaad Modaressi (Arts and Media), Alam Zeb (Business), Shummel Uddin (Voluntary and Community Efforts), Humaira Khan (Healthcare), Zaynab Rasul (Arts), Aisha Iqbal (Culture, Arts and Media), Bradford District Police Independent Advisory Board (Community Policing), Shoaib Ahmed (Voluntary Service), and Jerry Crawford (Culture Arts and Media).
Yasar Mohammed, treasurer at Bradford4Better, said: “Receiving the prestigious Kings Award is a profound honour, one that fills me with immense gratitude and appreciation.
"This award represents the hard work, dedication and passion of all our volunteers as well as the B4B core team in making Bradford a better place to live and work.
"It is a testament to the power of unity and collective action which has been shown over the last few years and a reminder that when individuals come together with a common goal, remarkable things can be achieved.
"Moving forward, I am inspired to continue working alongside my fellow community members, my B4B colleagues and other grassroot organisations by continuing to strive to make positive changes which ultimately improve the lives of fellow Bradfordians.”
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