Bilal Bin Saqib, an MSc Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship alum, has been recognised for his volunteering efforts during the pandemic with a Points of Light award from Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Points of Light are outstanding individual volunteers and people who are making a change in their community.
The ‘One Million Meals’ campaign was launched during lockdown in 2020 by Bilal, his brother, Momin Saqib, Raja Suleman Raza and Muhammad Arif Anis.
The initiative, which has seen over 100,000 meals sent to NHS and key workers, the homeless, and people in need, has received support from sporting stars such as former footballer David Beckham and boxer Amir Khan.
The project has inspired hundreds of volunteers to help with communications and deliveries, and local companies who have donated food and healthy drinks. Operating in more than 200 locations through 47 hospitals, trusts and food banks, the initiative aims to continue providing nutritious meals whilst the nation recovers from COVID-19.
In a personal letter to the ‘One Million Meals’ co-founders, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “You have been Points of Light for so many people throughout our national battle with Coronavirus, and so I am delighted to be recognising your work in this way.”
Bilal and Momin are also co-founders of ‘Tayaba’, a charity which provides clean water solutions for vulnerable communities in Pakistan.
Bilal said: “I am extremely humbled to have received this recognition from the honourable Prime Minister himself. Our ongoing work for communities has been with the pure intent of improving lives as much as we possibly can. Providing ease in water accessibility to the water-deprived communities has always been a cause that’s close to my heart.”
Thursday 20 May 2021