Categories – Lifesaver awards 2017

Find out more about each award category below, and see which volunteer have been selected as the finalists and winners for each award.

Volunteering Awards

Dr Hany El-Banna Award (Lifetime Achievement Award)

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.

Awarded to: Fatima Ayub (Bradford)

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 2016 to 30^th June 2017). 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:

• Akeel Ghaffar (Scotland)
• Mubeen Hussain (London & South)
• Nadeem Akhtar (Wales)
• [WINNER] Shamim Abdullah (North West)

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 2016 to 30^th June 2017) 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.

Finalists for East Midlands:

• Aisha Ismail
• Fatma Thakur
• [WINNER] Salman Sattar
• Sumaiyya Adam

Finalists for London & South:

• [WINNER] Farhad Miah
• Mohammed Hussain
• Muhit Chowdhury
• Sabiha Mughal

Finalists for North East:

• Amer Ghani
• Huma Nazir
• [WINNER] Jamila Karolia
• Sundus Bibi

Finalists for North West:

• Farah Hafezi
• [WINNER] Naeem Khothdiwala
• Sabah Raja
• Yassir Naeem

Finalists for Scotland:

• [WINNER] Aliyah Shafiq
• Bilal Arif
• Humyra Ahmed
• Imran Ashraf

Finalists for Wales:

• Annum Qureshi
• Fariyal Ahmed
• Nadeem Akhtar
• [WINNER] Syed Shamil Ahmed

Finalists for West Midlands:

• Fahmida Rehman
• Sister Lina
• [WINNER] Samina Hussain
• Zahaib Afzal

The Social Guru (Social Media Ambassador of the Year)

A real ambassador of Islamic Relief who has shown commitment, dedication and innovation in engaging people on social media to promote Islamic Relief’s work.

Finalists:

• Aisha Diler (West Midlands)
• Aliyah Shafiq (Scotland)
• [WINNER] Moushumi Alam (London & South)
• Shehzad Modoolla (North East)

The Champion (Community Impact Award)

To recognise a volunteer run project 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:

• Anas Mogra (East Midlands)
• Newham Car Wash (London team)
• Rizwan Nasruallah (Ramadan £1 Challenge)
• [WINNER] Volunteers responding to Grenfell Tower fire (London team)

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:

• Fatma and Sabiha (East Midlands)
• [WINNER] Hamid Mehmood (North West)
• ‘You Eat They Eat’ – London team (London & South)

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:

• Hamid Mehmood (North West)
• Munadiah Aftab (London & South)
• Tahian Ahmed (London & South)
• [WINNER] Zunaira Malik (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:

• Aaminah Wali (Scotland)
• Adil Ali (North East)
• Aisha Ismail (East Midlands)
• [WINNER] Azizur Rahman (London & South)

The Inventor (Innovation Award)

Any volunteer activity or volunteer led project that has demonstrated imagination, innovation and individuality, and has made a positive impact on donors and communities through strong partnership working.

Finalists:

• Arusa Mahmood (West Midlands)
• Azrah Shah (North West)
• [WINNER] Mohammad Rashid (North East)
• Night Under The Stars – East London Team (London & South)

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:

• Hosaam Safdar
• [WINNER] Ish Saddik
• Lamiece
• Osman Khan

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:

• Altaf Hussain (North East)
• [WINNER] Ateeq Salik (North East/North West)
• Nabeel Ghaffar (Scotland)
• Sultan Ahmed (London & South)

Awards for The Cake Campaign (The Cakies)

Most Cakes Sold (Regional Award)

Based upon official figure for which region has sold the most cakes.

• 3rd Place – Midlands and Wales
• 2nd Place – London and South
• [WINNER] – North and Scotland

Most Cakes Sold (City Award)

Based upon official figure for which city has sold the most cakes.

• 3rd Place – Bradford
• 2nd Place – Birmingham
• [WINNER] – London

Most Committed Volunteer

To recognise the most dedicated volunteer or group of volunteers, those who gave up their time whenever needed to ensure The Cake Campaign was a huge success.

Awarded to: Aisha Diler (Birmingham)

Social Media Award

Being a heavily social media led project – this award recognises the person who used social media in the most engaging and effective way to leverage support and/or increase the reach of The Cake Campaign.

Awarded to: Shehzad Modoolla (Bradford)

Best Call Centre Volunteer

A key part of The Cake Campaign is the call centre where volunteers man the phones and take thousands of #Cakes4Syria orders. This award recognises the volunteer that went above and beyond to ensure the success of the campaign.

Awarded to: Reeshah Gondol (Bradford)[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_column_text]

Best Delivery Driver

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 volunteer who turned up week in week out to deliver cakes – starting early, happy to finish late and always extremely efficient!

Awarded to: Aasiya Syeed (Manchester)