Categories – Lifesaver Awards 2023

Here are our finalists that truly embody the values and spirit of Islamic Relief and our work.

Our volunteers are invited to nominate their peers. The finalist and winners for each award are then decided by Islamic Relief staff and the judges panel.

Find out more about each award category below, and find out which volunteers have been nominated for each award.

Volunteering Awards

Dr Hany El-Banna Award (Long-service Award)

This award is to recognise a volunteer who has been a long serving volunteer (more than 5 years) and continued to show loyalty and commitment to the Islamic Relief family. This volunteer is a role model to other volunteers and to the wider community for their contribution to the sector.

Finalists:

• Aunty Fatimah (North East)
• Soulymane Abdulmolla (East Midlands)
• Safdar Sadiq (Scotland) [WINNER]

Excellence Award (Volunteer of the year)

This award is to recognise an exceptional volunteer who has sacrificed their time and devoted their energy to pursue excellence in their volunteering role in this particular year (Ramadan 2022 to Ramadan 2023). The candidate has demonstrated leadership skills and we are proud and humbled to have them with us.

The candidate has shown a great understanding of Islamic Relief work, our values and has been there supporting the regional team with anything from event preparation to peer-to-peer fundraising. Their contribution to our work is considerable and we hope they realise how many lives have been saved thanks to their efforts.

Finalists:

• Nishat Chowdhury (West Midlands)
• Zohaib Ali (North East)
• Haroon Usman (Scotland)
• Soulymane Abdulmolla (East Midlands) [WINNER]

Retail Champion – Charity Shop Volunteer of the Year

This award recognises the commitment and impact of a volunteer at one of the regional charity shops. They have showed up every time they were needed, they greeted customers with friendly smile, they lent a helping hand gratuitously and without hesitation, they understand importance of sustainability and don’t like wastefulness. They have truly done a lot for the success of one of our charity shops this year and been absolutely irreplaceable.

Winners:

• Rizwana Hussain (South)
• Mehrban Shah (North)
• John and Jilly (Wales)

The Ambassador (Regional Volunteer of the Year)

This award is to recognise a long standing volunteer who has sacrificed their time and devoted their energy to pursue excellence in their volunteering role in this particular year  within each region. The candidate has been dedicated to the cause and been extremely proactively getting involved in most of the aspects of the work. Our values shine through them and they have been truly an agent of change within the region.

Winners:

• Isra Tahseen (Scotland)
• Zohaib Ali (North East)
• Tabarak Iqbal (North West)
• Tabarak Iqbal (East Midlands)
• Nishat Chowdhury (West Midlands)
• Hassan Shahid (London)

The Social Guru (Social Media Ambassador of the Year)

A real online ambassador of Islamic Relief who has shown commitment and dedication in engaging people on the charitable work done by us and has actively promoted Islamic Relief to a wider online audience. They have a real flair for social media and deserve to be commended for their efforts.

Finalists:

• Ahmed Ansar (North East)
• Esa Khan (London)
• Nabila Kara (East Midlands) [WINNER]

Digital Imagineer (Creative Content Award)

A volunteer that has used their skills and creativity to help IRUK to create impactful videos and/or other content for social media. Their content helped us to get those precious likes and increase engagement, they are often our eyes and ears at the events.

Finalists:

• Muhammad Gangat (Midlands)
• Esa Khan (London and South)
• Nabila Kara (East Midlands)
• Ahmed Ansar (North East) (WINNER)

The Pillar (Behind the Scenes Award)

A volunteer who often shies away from the spotlight but provides crucial support. They can be called the pillar of the team and deserve a special recognition for working silently behind the scenes, ensuring that their regional team stands strong.

Finalists:

• Naeem Kothdiwala (North West)
• Shehreen Ahmed (North East)
• Uzayr Ahmad (Scotland)
• Assia Mechechar (West Midlands) [WINNER]

The Community Heart (Community impact award)

Any volunteer group that has run a project that demonstrated commitment and successfully raised awareness on the lifesaving work of Islamic Relief, our fundraising efforts and mobilised volunteers to aid those in need in the wider community.

Finalists:

• The Felix Project (London and South)
• Muslim Women Council (North East)
• Waves of Positivity (East Midlands)
• South West & Wales IR team [WINNER]

The Entrepreneur (Impactful Business Award)

This award is to recognise an exceptional business or an entrepreneur that has volunteered their time and services to support the work of IR. Their support made a significant difference to our operations/and or fundraising efforts.

Finalists:

• Grillzbase (London and South)
• Bayt Al Tamr (North West)
• Adams food service (North East)
• Shakil Drinkware (East Midlands)
• Food Asia (Scotland) [WINNER]

The Challenger (Challenge Award)

A volunteer who has life-saving feet, they have gone above and beyond (literally) to fundraise on behalf of Islamic Relief. Their feet might have taken them atop of the mountains, beyond the far seas and into the clouds. We admire not only the determination of this volunteer, but also their endurance as they didn’t hesitate to do all of this in the name of charity.

Finalists:

• Rozina Hussain (North East)
• Amjid Bashir (Scotland)
• Ferhana Kakadia (East Midlands)
• Hassan Anwar (North West) [WINNER]

The Supporter (Donor Care Volunteer of the Year)

A volunteer who has sacrificed their time during the day and night, answering the calls and providing an excellent customer service. The candidate has been a team player for the supporter relations department and ensured its smooth running of its operations.

Finalists:

• Zaynah Sheikh
• Rubeena Gulzar
• Eamann Ismail [WINNER]

Awards for The Cake Campaign (The Cakies)

We were blessed to have so many dedicated delivery drivers who helped make The Cake Campaign a huge success. This award aims to recognise the volunteers who turned up week in week out to deliver cakes – starting early, happy to finish late and always extremely efficient!

Commitment Award Cakes

Finalists:

• Muhammad Bhayat (West Midlands)
• Sumayya Memoniat (East Midlands)
• Ibraheem Ashraf (Scotland)
• South West & Wales IR team
• Saiam Ahmed (London) [WINNER]
• Zara Farooq (London) [WINNER]

Best Delivery Driver

Winners:

• Attia Kamran (West Midlands)
• Ahmed Aladawi (East Midlands)
• Iqra & Laweeza (Scotland)
• Sana Asam (North West)
• Imaan Hussain (North East)
• Shamim Miah (London)