AN ACCRINGTON woman is celebrating after landing an award for her courage in overcoming obstacles to become a pillar of her community.

Hashmina Rahman, 21, from Accrington, who has won the North West Rising Star award at The Prince’s Trust Awards.

The Prince’s Trust and TK Maxx & Homesense Awards recognise the achievements of disadvantaged young people who have succeeded against the odds, improved their chances in life, and had a positive impact on their local community, as well as those who have played a part in supporting the work of The Trust.

Hashmina was bullied at school because of her race and her disability.

She said: “I have a rare tissue disorder and rods in my spine which can be painful and limit my mobility. I also have obstructive sleep apnoea, which means I rely on a breathing machine at night. That – and my race – made me an easy target for bullies at school. Those years of my life were just awful.

“People saw my disability, not my potential. So I never had many friends and no-one seemed inclined to employ me, despite my Graphic Design qualification.”

A friend suggested she join Fairbridge – a programme from The Prince’s Trust that builds the confidence and motivation of disadvantaged young people.

“I knew I would struggle because it was activity based, but I didn’t want my disability to dictate what I could and couldn’t do anymore. I wanted to find ways to work around it – and the people at Fairbridge showed me how.

“Life is like a ladder – you have got to work your way from the bottom to the top. You can’t be afraid to fall, because you can always climb up again. So after Fairbridge, I went on the Team programme, which was even more challenging and inspiring.”

Team is another Prince’s Trust programme which builds the confidence and employability skills of unemployed young people.

She said: “I left with a qualification, new friends and a job at a t-shirt printing company where I’m now an apprentice.

“I can’t express how much happier I am following my time with The Prince’s Trust. I’m married and, one day, I hope to use my qualification in Tourism to become an Immigration Officer at Manchester Airport.”

Hashmina has recently become a Prince’s Trust Young Ambassador to support The Trust in a range of ways, from inspiring other young people, to influencing public decision-makers and engaging donors and the media.