Award Recognises Outstanding Individual Volunteers
A man from Southfields who raised money for people who lost everything during the floods is the winner of a new volunteering award, Prime Minister David Cameron has announced.
Zafar Ahmad from Southfields, London is the fifth recipient of a Point of Light Award, which recognises outstanding individual volunteers, people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Each day someone across the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements.
The new award has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in America, which was established by President George. H. W. Bush, and has since recognised over 5000 individuals and has the support of President Barack Obama.
Whether it’s a plumber regenerating local parkland or a teenager setting up a new cancer campaign, a Scout leader turning round the lives of hundreds of young people or Mum engaging the community to care for its neighbours, the Point of Light award will honour shining examples of volunteering across England.
Zafar Ahmad becomes England’s fifth Point of Light today down to his tireless support for the people who had been affected by the flooding in his local area. As soon as the floods hit Zafar was one of the first to volunteer.
Over the next five days Zafar and a group of 200 volunteers from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association helped people affected by the flooding in their local area. Despite only being 16, Zafar worked day and night to help, when others had given up. He spent hours humping sandbags, delivering leaflets and food, always with a smile on his face.
Speaking about awarding Zafar the fifth ever UK Point of Light Prime Minister David Cameron said “Zafar showed incredible commitment to help people during the floods. He didn’t finish until the job was done, taking on back-breaking work and long hours.
“That’s why I am recognising Zafar as a Point of Light – to congratulate him on his efforts and because, despite his young age, he went to great lengths to ensure that his community was helped back on its feet.”
Zafar Ahmad said “I volunteered during the floods with members of my community because I am an Ahmadiyya Muslim and we believe that it’s our duty to serve humanity and to help others. I was really excited and honoured about coming to No 10 Downing Street today – something I never expected whilst volunteering throughout the floods. The Prime Minister awarded me one of the first ever Points of Light and I am really excited, honoured and proud of myself.”
Zafar has also been recognised by ITV’s Daybreak, who selected him as one of their flood heroes as part of their campaign to recognise people who made an outstanding contribution to their community in the aftermath of the floods. The Government has been working in partnership with ITV to find to recognise people who have made an outstanding contribution to their community and asked them to find the first five Points of Light.
Zafar’s volunteering efforts do not stop here as he is already looking forward to raise more money to assist with the massive clean-up required up and down the country. Next month he will be running 10K at the annual MKA-10K on 4th May at Battersea Park. If you would like to support his run and the relief efforts in Somerset, visit Zafar’s Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/Zafar-Ahmad-2014. More information about taking part in the MKA-10K can be found at www.mercy4mankind.org.
