Inspirational teen nominated for Yorkshire Children of Courage Award

And now sixth former Mohammed Usman, 18, has been nominated to be recognised at this year’s Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards. By his own admission, a few years ago, Mohammed, who is studying for his A Levels at Bradford’s Grange Technology College, did not have the confidence to raise his hand to answer a question in class.

But after being inspired by a assembly in January featuring a talk from the founders of educational charity Free the Children, he has flourished. He contacted the charity, which works around the world to help educate, empower and engage young people, to see what he could do to help.

Within a few weeks, he had started a fundraising campaign, and raised more than £1,300 selling hand-crafted Rafiki chains, made by Maasai in Kenya, to fund the charity’s work providing clean water, food, healthcare and education in the country.

His enthusiasm and passion led him to be invited to speak at the charity’s We Day event in March, which saw 12,000 people gather at Wembley Stadium.

Mohammed shared the stage with figures including former United States vice president Al Gore, education activist Malala Yousafzai, entrepreneur Richard Branson and Prince Harry. He spoke about his work with the charity and what he had learnt on a Life Skills programme, which helps prepare young people for the world of work.

Mohammed, who hopes to study at London School of Economics next year, said: “It was the main missions of the charity that made me want to get involved - to get rid of child labour and give all children access to education, and to inspire young people like myself to make a difference. It’s been an amazing nine months, the opportunities I’ve had and the education I’ve been given.”

Last month Mohammed travelled to India to help at a project building school.

“Seeing their difficulties, like children walking one to two hours to go to school, was mind blowing,” he added. “It’s motivated me to carry on with my work for Free the Children.”

Miranda Reilly, educational programming coordinator at Free the Children, nominated Mohammed because of “his passion to make a difference” and encouraging others to do the same.

She said: “Mohammed is an extremely motivated and proactive individual who has been a pleasure to work with this past year. He is never one to stop once he has achieved his goal and is already making plans for what he can do this year to continue his fundraising efforts for Free The Children.”

Joining Mohammed at the awards next month will be Derek Radcliffe, director of post-16 at Grange Technology College. He said Mohammed had blossomed into an “incredible role model” for his fellow students.

“It was a long journey to Wembley Arena,” he said. “But to see him there, speaking in front of 12,000 people, was the most emotional few minutes in my 36 years of teaching.

“He was flawless, when a few years earlier he would not have put his hand up in class.”

The Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards honour the bravest and most courageous young people in the region, while raising money to help disadvantaged youngsters.

Tickets are on sale for the awards, which take place at the Royal Armouries in Leeds on Friday October 10.

The event, which is sponsored by Arrow Cars, includes a dinner by Aagrah Restaurants, entertainment by tenor Jonathan Ansell and is hosted by BBC Breakfast presenter Steph McGovern.

The Yorkshire Post, which is media partner of the awards, will be feature full coverage of the winners.

To purchase tickets visit www.yorkshirechildren.co.uk