Fusion Awards Preview Blackburn Saturday May 28th 2016
May, 27 2016
~Sometimes in life it can be so easy to take things for granted. For children, the prepared sandwiches their mum makes for lunch at school. For teenagers, it’s the parental care and concern regarding relationships and for adults it’s our daily work agenda that may at times go unnoticed perhaps by other work colleagues or even by our own boss or manager of a particular firm we’re employed in.
How about a select number of people that collectively strive to do what is right in a world that rarely if ever accolades positive contributions in life. These talented individuals make up the Blackburn and Darwen district and have endured many difficulties along the way but it’s their tireless efforts in which a specific event celebrates the fantastic work of volunteers, charity workers and entrepreneurs throughout the North West.
The Fusion Awards kicks off in fine fashion tomorrow Saturday May 28th at the King George’s Hall in Blackburn. A couple of awards taking place includes ‘The Community Cohesion Award’ and the ‘Community Group of the Year’ .
The Community Cohesion Award supported by Blackburn with Darwen Council features ‘A People Panorama’ a collection of stunning portraits celebrating different cultures displayed at the Manchester Jewish Museum; the Blackburn based Asylum Refugee Community, a group which caters for new arrivals to the town.
The highly coveted Community Group of the Year category features ‘Call to duty’ a number of volunteers who helped hundreds of refugees. Other groups include :-
As-Suffa Outreach Bolton: Outreach Bolton who have been assisting the homeless and also helped flooding victims in Cumbria; the Inter-Madrassah Organisation who’s innovative range of sporting and community events are having a profound impact on neighbourhoods; the Preston based Friends Fishwick and St Matthews an active group made up of residents wanting to change their neighbourhood for the better.
The Muslim Jewish Forum Manchester which celebrated its tenth anniversary makes up the 2016 list.
BAE Systems also makes the shortlist. A statement from them reveals their thrill in recognition of such a worthwhile cause and what they decide to take home from the event,
“We are proud to be supporting the awards in its tenth year and look forward to reading the inspiring stories of what young people are doing to make life better for the places we live, work and play.”
Awards given out on the evening include :-
* Community Cohesion Award including amongst many :- A People Panorama ( Manchester Jewish Museum) and Bolton Interfaith Council Faith Trail.
* BAE Systems Youth Leadership Award including :- Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association ( Regional) and Zainab Akhtar( Preston)
* Community Group of the Year including :- As-Suffa Outreach Bolton and Friends and Fishwick and St. Matthews (Preston)
*Public Service Award :-
Carol Bonham
Mohammed Sheraz
Saeed Sidat
Dr Shameela Islam-Zulfiqar
Dr Zahid Chauhan.
* Man of the Year :-
Ahad Miah (Oldham)
Naseem Khan (Blackburn)
Umar Ayub & Robin Maudsley (Preston)
* Woman of the Year :-
Arooj Shah (Oldham)
Madhubala Pandya (Blackburn)
Razia Anwar (Blackburn)
Other categories worthy of mention include the Bolton Interfaith Trail and the BAE systems Youth Leadership Award. The Bolton Interfaith Trail hosted by the Bolton Interfaith Council aims to encourage students to volunteer in the wider community and Changing Perceptions from The Oppo Foundation which seeks to bring people together from different groups through the medium of football.
The BAE systems Youth Leadership Award also has nominations including the Pendle based Whitefield Youth Association, Blackburn group FACE, a small group that is having a big impact in the Little Harwood area of the town and the 99 Names Arts Exhibition conducted by Manchester schools which raised £40,000 for good causes.
In addition to the above, awards will also be presented for the UCLAN Education Achievement Award, Achievement in Sport Award, the Mumtaz Ellahi Community Sports Award, the Neighbourhood Champion, the Entrepreneur of the Year and the Lifetime Community Achievement Award.
The ceremony takes place tomorrow evening, Saturday May 28th at Blackburn’s finest home of entertainment and cultural enjoyment, the King George’s Hall.
A Blackburn with Darwen Spokesperson has these closing words in what hopes to be a collective ensemble of community groups and talented individuals being presented awards that they so definitely deserve,
“The Council is deligh
