Meet the group of teenagers who will be taking centre stage at a community awards night.

Alisha Seedat, Aleeza Isa, Maya Khalid and Bilal Hussain will be representing the various youth groups run by One Voice Blackburn at the charity’s annual dinner which takes place at King George’s Hall on Saturday, February 25.

The group allows a young person to host the celebration, and the 2023 Awards Dinner will be the eighth time young people have taken to the stage.

This year’s event is themed ‘Saturday Night Fever’.

Alisha Seedat said: “Hosting the Annual Dinner is an amazing opportunity.

"I’m super excited yet quite nervous as represent One Voice Blackburn, it’s work and the community’s achievements.”

Aleeza Isa said: “I was shocked when I heard that I had been selected to co-host this big event.

"I know some of the girls who have hosted the event in previous years and they were magnificent.

"I have a lot to live up to, but I am really looking forward to it. People always tell me how confident I am, we will find out on the evening.”

Maya Khalid is a student at Tauheedul Islam Girls High School, and is part of 1V Scouts.

She added: “We receive a lot of leadership opportunities at 1V Scouts and this prepares us for events such as the 1V Awards Dinner.

"It’s a real privilege to be representing our scouts groups by co-hosting the awards section of the evening."

Bilal Hussain is a student at Pleckgate High School and is a member of various One Voice groups and is a keen sports enthusiast.

“I have heard all about the amazing 1V Awards Dinner and the young people who have hosted it before,” says Bilal, “but we have practicing hard for a few months. I am really going to enjoy this experience.”

One Voice Blackburn Chief Executive Zaffer Khan said: “There is a breadth of talent among young people in Blackburn and we have every faith in them to deliver an exceptional performance on the stage at King George’s Hall.”