VOLUNTEERS and community groups are set to be honoured at the Blackburn 1V awards.

The One Voice Annual Dinner will take place on Saturday, 9 October in King George’s Hall and will feature the 1V Awards, keynote speeches, and pop group BANNED Cohesion.
The event will be co-hosted by 13-year-old students and West End Girls (WEGs) members Sara Hussain and Shahida Hafeji.

There are six awards up for grabs in October – the 1V Woman of the Year, 1V Man of the Year, 1V Group of the Year, the Mohammed Khan leadership award, John Roberts Outstanding Achievement Award and the Aya Hachem Young Person of the Year. 

Abrar Hussain, Chairman of One Voice, said: “After a break of 18 months and a few postponements we are looking forward to another evening of celebrating the incredible and tireless community work done by the amazing finalists. This year more than other year the awards are a great way to recognise the time and effort individuals and groups put into helping improve their local communities during challenging times.”

The nominees for the 1V Woman of the Year are Jamila Digankar, Fahima Iqbal, Zee Jogi, and Danni Whitehead.

Jamila said: “I’m really excited to be nominated, it’s an honour to be nominated as a young female who works in sports.” 

The 1V Group of the Year finalists, are Benefit Mankind, Better Bodies, Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, Keep Blackburn Tidy and Master of Martial Arts.

A representative from Blackburn Rovers Community Trust said: “It’s great news to have gained local recognition and appreciation especially given the last 18 months.”

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The 1V Man of the Year award finalists are Tinta Ali, Mo Congress, Mohamed Sidat, Maulana Rafiq Sufi.

Maulana Rafiq said: “I feel very privileged, honoured and grateful to be nominated for my work throughout the pandemic. It is the first time I will be attending the 1V Awards, it is very exciting.”

The Aya Hachem Young Person award nominees are Mohammed Bapu, Joshua Fielding, Iqra Khan and Jennah Shahzad.

Joshua said: “It’s a really good feeling to be recognised and appreciated, it’s nice to know that people have faith in your work.”

Jennah added: “I feel proud that people think that my work is worth being nominated for a 1V Award. I volunteer in my spare time and I am extremely grateful that people have taken time out to give me a little something back.”

Winners will be chosen by the Trustees of One Voice Blackburn. The winner of the leader’s award will be chosen by leader of the council, Mohammed Khan, and One Voice Blackburn.

The annual dinner will reflect the work of One Voice Blackburn over the previous 18 months. It is sponsored by Together Housing, Blackburn College, NHS Blood and Transplant, Heritage Fund, Humraaz Support Services and the council.