TWO unsung heroes in Bradford have seen their good work with mental health recognised with an award on national TV from a sporting legend.

Hasnain Shafiq and Muhammed Ali Islam co-founded Youth Cutz, an organisation where young people can come for a free haircut and speak about their feelings and mental health.

They have now been rewarded for their work in the community by winning ITV Good Morning Britain’s mental health loneliness champions award.

 

The pair were handed the award by former heavyweight boxing legend Frank Bruno in Bradford this morning.

Frank said the two do an important job with their barber shop.

 

Ali said: “Men don’t talk about their feelings and it should not be like that. Men don’t have the chance to open up.”

Hasnain added what is said in the barber shop, stays in the barber shop when young people decide to open up about any mental health difficulties.

He said: “To us, time is more important than money.

“Being a barber, a lot of people speak to me about their experiences."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Frank Bruno gives the award to Muhammed Ali Islam and Hasnain ShafiqFrank Bruno gives the award to Muhammed Ali Islam and Hasnain Shafiq

They appeared live on TV alongside Sofia Buncy DL, national co-ordinator at Bradford’s Khidmat Centres ,who was behind the Young in Covid film featuring Bradford youngsters, which had its premiere in the city earlier this year.

 

Alex Beresford revealed the pair as the winners, adding: “Guys, you have been nominated, but I don’t travel 400 miles for nothing, you are our winners.

“All that talking, encouraging people to come in and give them free hair cuts has paid off.”