‘Inspiring’ and ‘amazing’ volunteers honoured at Nelson Awards

The awards recognised services to the Nelson community over the last 12 months and celebrated individuals, groups and organisations that have achieved great things for the town or have given back to the community.

The glitzy event held at the Fence Gate Inn attracted more than 200 guests including town councillors, the Mayor of Pendle Cllr Yasser Iqbal and Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson.

Young people took centre stage at this year’s awards, as ECO Duniya picked up the Green Champion Award.

The group of pupils have taken it upon themselves to run a series of campaigns to help create more awareness of environmental issues within their community.

Marsden Primary School and Lomeshaye Primary School won the Education award and fundraiser Sharaz Ali was presented with the Youth Leadership Award.

Amina Ahmed (above centre) won the Young Heroes Award. Amirah who is blind was rewarded for her ‘enthusiasm and inspiration’ to all those around her.

She was presented her award by Saima Ashraf, from Blackburn, a blind accountant who works with Merseyside Police.

ECO Duniya picked up the Green Champion Award.

The Enterprise Award went to Fadez Barbers and long establishing local football club Paak United won the Sports Achievement Award.

Community Arts by ZK won the Health and Being Award, whilst the Let’s Be Foundation won the Arts Achievement Award.

Imam Afaq (left) Nelson Community Masjid with the Community Together Award.

Nelson Community Masjid were presented with the Community Together Award. The mosque has been instrumental in reaching out to all sections of the community and handed out 22,000 meals and 5,000 food parcels in 2022.

Speaking on the night Imam Afaq gave an impassioned speech he told of how his team were inspired to do the work because they ‘did not want any family going hungry’ in their community.

He said: “This award is for the people of Nelson. Looking around I am seeing some incredible people but tonight is not an evening to pat ourselves on the back because it is like any other night in which more children are going hungry to sleep.

“There are families out there in Nelson sleeping without gas and electricity and when food is going to come. There are mothers worried about what they will give their child in the morning to take to school.

“Tonight is a night to look around the room and I see some brilliant people here and I see people here who can make change. We can change this very quickly. My vision is there will no hunger in any home in Nelson.

“We have people with big hearts and it is time to open those hearts.”

There were also a number of special awards on the night.

Paak United won the Sports Achievement Award and Let’s Be Foundation won the Arts Achievement Award.

George Adam was honoured with the Public and Community Service Recognition Award, whilst Qari Khalid Mehmood won the Community Contribution Award.

Susan Davies, a teacher at the former Edge End School for nearly 50 years, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Pride of Nelson Awards winners and members of the Town council and special guests

Councillor Zafar Ali said: “We really achieved what we set out to at the awards this year.

"We wanted to highlight the selfless work of people from across Nelson and showcase what Nelson has to offer. 

“We had new award categories and so many new nominees. 

“It was a magnificent evening celebrating diversity, and hearing the success stories of the winners who came from all backgrounds. Well done to everyone who was nominated - you really made everyone proud.”

Organisers wished to thank Supreme Dream Events, Clive Lawrence Photography, Fence Gate Inn and Web Print Go for their support.

Full list of winners

Education Award – Marsden Primary School and Lomeshaye Primary School

Enterprise Award – Fadez Barbers

Arts Achievement Award – Let’s Be Foundation

Sports Achievement Award – Paak United 

Health & Wellbeing Award – Community Arts by ZK

Community Together Award – Nelson Community Masjid

Youth Leadership Award- Sharaz Ali

Young Heroes Award- Amirah Ahmed

Volunteering Award – Rizwan Ali

Green Champion Award – ECO Duniya

Public & Community Service Recognition – Councillor George Adam 

Community Contribution Recognition – Imam Khalid Mahmood

Lifetime Achievement Award – Susan Dawes