Categories – Lifesaver Awards 2022

The nominees and winners for each award will be 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 (Spirit of Islamic Relief)

A special award to recognise a long serving volunteer who has continued to show loyalty and commitment to the Islamic Relief family. The candidate is a role model to other volunteers and to the wider community for their contribution to this sector.

The winner will be selected by the awards judging panel at Islamic Relief UK.

[WINNER] Habib Khan (Aka Charlie)

UK Director’s Award (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 over the previous year (1^st July 2021 to 30^th June 2022). This will be awarded to a volunteer who has demonstrated leadership skills, and has been a great team player contributing to the well-being of the volunteering team.

The nominee must also have shown innovation and creativity in their approach, and has made a significant impact in the community who in turn have continued to save lives.

Finalists:

• Uzair Loonat (North West, Leicester)
• Aasim Nasir – East Midlands
• Dr Mohammad Alhadj Ali – Wales & West
• Mariam Jniah – North West [WINNER]

The Ambassador (Regional Volunteer of the Year)

This award is to recognise long standing volunteers who have sacrificed their time and devoted their energy to pursue excellence in their volunteering role during the year (1^st July 2018 to 30^th June 2019) within their region.

These volunteers have been dedicated to the cause, getting involved in all aspects of the work and have been a great team player. One winner will be selected per region.

This category finalist will be provided by their respective regional staff and will be awarded by the awards judging panel.

Winners:

• Haroon Usman (Scotland)
• Ihtisaam ul-Waheed (NorthEast)
• Rahmat Abdullateef (North West)
• Aasim Nazir (East Midlands)
• Qasim Alyas (West Midlands)
• IR Bristol (Wales and West)
• Shabbir Hussain (London and South)

The Social Guru (Digital Ambassador of the Year)

A real ambassador of Islamic Relief who has shown commitment, dedication and innovation in engaging people via digital communication channels to promote Islamic Relief’s work.

Finalists:

• Esa Khan – London & South [WINNER]
• Haris Hussain – North East
• Laweeza & Iqra Khan – Scotland
• Aneesah Sidat – East Midlands

The Champion (Community Impact Award in 2022)

To recognise a volunteer run project (that took place between 1st Jan – 30th June 2022) and has demonstrated commitment to improving the wider community and reached out to work with a new partner organisation or client group – or has strengthened an existing partnership by working in new and innovative ways.

Finalists:

• Mubeen Hussain – London & South
• Mohammad Salihu – Scotland
• Waves of Positivity – East Midlands (WINNER)
• Rawan Al- Khanshali – North West

The Champion (Community Impact Award for Covid-19 in 2021)

To recognise a volunteer run Covid-19 response project in 2021 that has demonstrated commitment to improving the wider community and reached out to work with a new partner organisation or client group – or has strengthened an existing partnership by working in new and innovative ways.

Finalists:

• Muhammed Bhayat – West Midlands [WINNER]
• Smirah Ahmed – Scotland
• Farhad Miah – London & South
• Mohammed Saif & Aunty Mezmin – East Midlands

The Champion (Community Impact Award for Covid-19 in 2020)

To recognise a volunteer run Covid-19 response project in 2020 that has demonstrated commitment to improving the wider community and reached out to work with a new partner organisation or client group – or has strengthened an existing partnership by working in new and innovative ways.

Finalists:

• Sana, Hadia & Team – Scotland [WINNER]
• Rifhat Malik – North East
• Waves of Positivity – East Midlands
• Haleema Amir – North West

The Challenger (Challenge Award)

To recognise a challenger who has overcome their fears to take on a challenge of a lifetime, whilst also using innovative methods to raise funds for our life-saving work.

Finalists:

• Tabaraq Iqbal
• Haroon Abbas [WINNER]
• Abdulla Al-Shekhly
• Rahmat AbdulLateef

The Visionary (Creativity Award)

A volunteer who has been innovative and creative in their approach to push Islamic Relief messaging to peers and the wider community. This volunteer will have shown creativity and have implemented their ideas effectively as well as demonstrated commitment and leadership.

Finalists:

• Creativity Award
• IR Liverpool – North West [WINNER]
• Amer Gani – North East
• Anoosha, Rafay & Friends – Scotland
• Mujahid Hussain – Wales & West

The Campaigner (Campaigns Volunteer of the Year)

This award recognises a volunteer committed to campaigning and advocating on behalf of Islamic Relief.

This person has exceeded expectation and played an active part in campaigning on issues such as climate change, gender based violence, and/or advocated on behalf of vulnerable people suffering the effects of conflict in countries such as Syria and Yemen.

Finalists:

• Shamil Ahmad – Bristol
• Shawq Alhamedi – North East [WINNER]
• Maria Abid – Scotland
• Fatima Zara – London & South

The Implementer (Project Leader of the Year)

To recognise project leader(s) who have successfully organised and led a volunteering project with Islamic Relief. Nominations will be considered for a leader or group of leaders who have led by example and shown passion for their project, being creative and original in their approach.

Finalists:

• Abdulla Al-Shekhly – East Midlands
• Waves of Positivity – East Midlands
• Charity Week [WINNER]
• Rawan Al- Khanshali – Liverpool

The Supporter (Donor Care Volunteer of the Year)

A volunteer who has sacrificed their time, day and night, answering calls and providing excellent customer service.  A team player who has seamlessly integrated with the Supporter Relations department and assisted in the smooth running of its operations.

Finalists:

• Sophie Khan
• Abigail Odukogbe
• Sumi Aktar
• Sumayya Memoniat [WINNER]

The People’s Award (Islamic Relief Staff Member of the year)

To recognise a staff member who has gone beyond the call of duty and impacted the lives of volunteers.

Finalists:

• Islamic Relief Staff of the year
• Huzaifa Lorgat – East Midlands & Wales & West Senior Community Fundraising Officer [WINNER]
• Abdulla Almamun – UK Programmes Co-ordinator
• Hanifa Fazil – South Area Retail Manager
• Azizur Rahman – London & South Community Fundraising Officer