The Volunteer of the Year award celebrates those who give up hours of their spare time to aid those in need of a helping hand.

The finalists are Donna Howarth, Bradford PHAB Club duo Greta Arlinskaite and Akbar Khan, and Mushtaq Hussain.

Donna Haworth was described as “the most beautiful soul” by the person who nominated her for the award.

Donna supports homeless people around the Bradford area - from Christmas Day lunches and clothing collections to leaving her phone on 24/7 in case anyone needs support.

Her nominator said: “She never celebrates Christmas Day with family and friends, because she is out on the road making sure homeless people are having food on this important day.

“She also is fostering a little boy.

“She is the best example of being selfless and compassionate. She is always there for everyone else and she needs a big recognition for it.

“Whenever there is someone who needs help, Donna is always there for them. I can’t describe how much she is doing in her day. She always put others before herself.”

Other work includes painting Allerton’s Weymouth Centre and collecting funeral funds for family in need.

Greta Arlinskaite and Akbar Khan have been chosen for their dedicated work with Bradford PHAB Club.

The pair jumped into action when lockdown was announced to ensure food parcels reached families in need during the pandemic.

The pair dedicate their own time to making and delivering food parcels to 40 families a week.

Meanwhile the charitable duo host weekly activities including swimming, sports camps, summer residentials and day trips, online sessions to tackle isolation, and more.

Akbar said: “Wow, we are both honoured and humbled for being nominated for this prestigious award and while it’s great to be recognised more importantly it is about making sure children and families that are desperately in need are being fed during these very difficult times.”

Mushtaq Hussain, founder of Inspire Futures Foundation, first began supporting families before the first lockdown in 2020.

With furlough and unemployment worsening financial difficulties before coronavirus, more and more people needed help with food and hygiene packages.

His nominator said: “He has an amazing attitude in supporting those in need. Mushtaq is kind, a good motivator and works very hard in his normal job, but spends so much time helping others.

“He brightens the community and makes sure that others help those around him.”

Mushtaq said: “I am deeply humbled and shocked to be nominated for this amazing award. A huge credit goes to all the volunteers and the trustees who have supported me. The last few years have been extremely challenging, and the current financial crisis is leaving so many families in need of our support.

“We continue to work hard to provide delicious meals, food parcels and financial donations to those most in need. Volunteering is an amazing feeling and I am thankful that I am guided by my faith in putting a smile on the face of others, and guiding me to give a helping hand to those who reach out. It is difficult for so many.”

Finalists for Bradford's Community Star Awards revealed

For 2022’s Community Stars Awards, there are nine categories in total.

Click the category to find out more about each finalist

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