YOUNG people from two Blackburn youth groups featured in a video for a national awards ceremony.

The Asian Media Awards (AMA) on Thursday honoured the contribution of the ‘unnamed key worker’ and announcing the decision were members of Blackburn Youth Zone and One Voice.

The message was recorded before the second lockdown, with volunteers being asked to attend at Blackburn Youth Zone at specific times. There, each member read a line from a specially-written poem, ‘There is always hope’.

Every year, in Manchester, the Asian Media Awards honours an individual who has helped to inspire others through their words, thoughts and ideas with the Media Personality of the Year award.

In previous years this has been presented to people like Mehdi Hasan, Ranvir Singh and Naga Munchetty. 

A statement from the Asian Media Awards reads: “In 2020 we thought it only fitting that we recognise the contributions of those people who, through their efforts, have helped to carry out a range of tasks across the country. 

“We felt it wasn’t just enough to recognise the emergency workers and those on the frontline putting their own lives at risk during the ongoing battle against the pandemic. It was also important to feature those, from all backgrounds and cultures, who delivered our food, served us at our local shops and drove us home.

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The statement adds, “These are the roles our forefathers proudly held and many still hold and we are keen to ensure their efforts are not forgotten as we head into the winter months. It is also important to remember how during the year those very people who were seen as heroes were at the wrong end of systematic prejudice as the pandemic wore on.

“We would like to thank volunteers from two youth groups who helped us share this message. We are sure you will join us in thanking them for their efforts in relaying the thoughts, ideas and words with such poise and professionalism.

“We dedicate this to all the loved ones we have all lost during the pandemic.”

Featured in the video are Sara, Tillie, Farris, Trent, Mathew, Assia, Imaan, Sophie, Zainab, Latisha, Krystal, Yousuf, Arooj, Aisha, Faizan, Hafsah, Raihan, Jayden, Safa, Alisha, Paige, Nadia, Eliza and Talia.