2023 Winner
Hannah Miah
Schoolgirl has raised more than £32,000 to help underprivileged youngsters in honour of her late grandfather’s memory.
Hannah Miah grew up inspired by her community activist grandfather Mohammed, who along with her parents, taught her about the importance of charity. So when she watched a video about street children in Bangladesh, the 10-year-old from Oldham decided to help.
Hannah, 11, said: “It just shows you, you’re living in a house with a roof, and there’s other people in the world that are living with no roof, getting abused, on the streets with no food. I decided that I would help these children. “Because I loved walking I decided to do a 50km walk for the street children of Bangladesh.” Taking a video of every walk she did, explaining why she was doing it, Hannah’s goal was also to raise awareness for the cause.
And while Hannah’s initial target was ambitious at £1,000, by the time she finished her first challenge the total hit more than £15,000. Dad Jewel said: “It was a proud moment for myself, my daughter and my family, as well as the community, especially my father-in-law, who was extremely proud.”
Sadly, Hannah’s grandfather passed away after she completed her first campaign. However, the schoolgirl was more determined than ever to keep fundraising, this time in her grandfather’s memory.
“I know if he was still here today, he would be really proud of me,” said Hannah. Along with members of her family, she climbed Mount Snowdon in Wales, and today her fundraising total for the children in Bangladesh stands at more than £32,000. She has also inspired other people to get involved and raise money – Jewel says that this year Ramadan Muslim Charity North collectively raised more than £57,000 Moheen Uddin from The Muslim Charity said: “Because of Hannah and all the volunteers, these children now have hope as well in life.”
Hannah added: “To see their faces with a smile on them instead of a sad face, was really amazing.”