Civic appreciation award joy for inspirational Ibby

The community of Oldham and beyond came together on Tuesday evening to celebrate the achievements of inspirational 17-year-old fundraiser Ibrahim Yousaf - or as many know him, Ibby.

Ibby was honoured with the Civic Award by the town for helping 14 Oldham charities and his hospital charity over the past five years, despite battling with his own health issues.

Ibby began his campaign in June 2018 at aged 12 by donating his birthday money to his Royal Manchester Children's hospital charity, then using Twitter, he began to raise awareness and funds for the charity.

From July 2018, he decided to help Maggie’s Oldham and has now also helped the following charities over the past five years: Dr Kershaw’s, Oldham Foodbank, Ukeff, Oldham Street Angels, Action Oldham Fund, Action Together, Mahdlo, Spoons, Teamhill, Real Change Oldham, Young Carers Positive Steps, OACT, Reelcic and just recently, Point Send.

Ibby, with his supporters, has raised thousands of pounds for them with his Team Ibby challenges, bake sales, sponsors and auctions etc.

Also, every week Ibby donates his pocket money to Oldham charities or to people fundraising for local charities and every Eid, all his Eid money he donates to Oldham charities.

On top of all that, for the last few years he hasn’t celebrated his birthday, instead wanting every pound to be donated to local charities, instead of a party or receiving presents.

Ibby has received many awards locally and nationally, including the BCyA in June 2019.

He became an Ambassador for the Awards in August 2019.

Ibby also is the youngest in Greater Manchester to have been honoured aged only 13 in the 2020 New Year Honours List with a BEM for services to the community of Oldham by the late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

In a packed-out room at Mahdlo on Tuesday evening, in attendance were most of the charities he supports, family, his teachers, NHS staff, his supporters and many followers.

During the evening, there were some very special video messages played to Ibby, including from four Oldham legends - Kevin Sinfield, Barrie McDermott, Joe Royle and Frank Rothwell.

Ibby said that despite his health battle he still feels very blessed because he can still help to make a difference in Oldham.

The Civic Award itself was presented and hosted by four of Ibby’s heroes who were the first to support him, and still do.

Miss Lorna Philip from his former school Hathershaw College and also part of Oldham Pledge, was present, as well as two local businesses - Lee from Whittaker Design and Glenn from Breakey Nuttall.

They were the first two local businesses to support Ibby and have never stopped supporting him.

Danny Simpson - another hero of Ibby’s - hosted the special evening.

The evening finished with Ibby urging everyone to please keep supporting all our local charities and 'let’s keep helping the people of Oldham out of darkness, especially young people and children'.

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