London: (Juliet Chowdhry) Hannah Chowdhry, a long term community campaigner and volunteer for British Asian Christian Association, has been named a ‘Community Champion’ by the Child of Britain Awards.

At the prestigious JW Marriott Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London, children and young people received their awards at a glittering ceremony, hosted by legendary television presenter, Eamonn Holmes OBE.

The Child of Britain Awards were hosted for their inaugural year:

“To celebrate the inspirational achievements of remarkable young people across Britain.

“Honouring extraordinary moments of personal courage, bravery, sporting and creative achievements.”

There were 11 award categories, highlighting those that champion causes in their communities, protect the environment, fundraise and care for others. The event was sponsored by fashion retails ‘I Saw It First’ and Greatest Hits Radio among others.  

On the night Hannah was presented with her award by Stuart Lawrence the brother of slain teenager Stephen Lawrence (RIP).  Later in the evening Mr Lawrence met with her and gave her a goody bag in which was a signed copy of his recent book ‘Silence is not an Option’.

Hannah said: Receiving the award from Stuart Lawrence felt special. I am aware of the racially motivated murder of his brother Stephen Lawrence (RIP) - the impact his family have had on raising awareness of the futility of knife crime and changing cultural stereotypes has been phenemonal”

Hannah said: ‘Meeting Stuart Laurence such an important campaigner was the highlight of the event for me.

"I can’t wait to read his book!”

Hannah Chowdhry was recognised for her many endeavours including having been a Youth Councillor for two London Boroughs at the same time, and sitting on the youth panel for the Mayor of London’s Policing and Crime Unit.

At the age of 7 years Miss Chowdhry also began a 5 year campaign to bring a replica of the ‘Ilford Mammoth Skull’ to the London Borough of Redbridge.  Her efforts culminated in the donation of a £50,0000 replica being gifted by the Natural History Museum in 2015.

Hannah Chowdhry (aged 8) and her friends  Tanisha and Tattian Ngeze, with Professor Adrian Lister before the real Ilford Mammoth Skull in the Natural History Museum.

Hannah has also led or taken part in various knife crime summits, bringing together, the police, victims, anti-knife crime groups and the public.  Read more (here) and (here).

Hannah Chowdhry leading Youth Debate on Knife Crime organised by BACA and City Gates Church

Here work on knife crimes also led to the Redbridge Faith Forum seeking her to say a prayer during their annual peace walk.

During the COVID-19 outbreak Hannah designed and implemented British Asian Christian Association’s ‘Meals for the Needy’ Project.  At its peak the service was feeding 65 people twice a day, providing hot meals and a foodbank.  There are many foodbanks across the country and this might not seem that special, however it was the only service that was led by a teenager.  Moreover, though the service had only been running for  a few months prior to the Coronavirus pandemic lockdown, it became the only service available for the homeless an deprived in Redbridge during that period.

Hannah introduced 22 beneficiaries to the Ryedale Centre in Redbridge, enabling them to be housed under the commitment made for COVID relief for the homeless by the UK Government.  She taught homeless people how to cook and helped them find furniture and other gifts for their homes. During the lockdown the service grew from a tiny project to the fourth largest foodbank in London.

Hannah feeding homeless during COVID-19 pandemic

The project is smaller now and Hannah continues to help manage the service helping up to 40 people with meals and a foodbank 3 days a week.

Hannah is also a well known campaigner for Asian Christians and has spoken on the steps of Westminster Cathedral before thousands and at the European Parliament. 

Hannah has had to overcome health conditions such as Juvenile Arthritis and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy that has meant in her efforts to help others, she has had to overcome severe physical distress and pain. This is what makes her many achievements very remarkable.

Hannah has recently completed her A Levels and hopes to take up an offer to study Law at Glasgow University from September.

Hannah Chowdhry, said:

“Though I do not volunteer to receive awards, it is nice to be recognised.

“I hope the platform this award gives will help me further my ambitions of being a humanitarian lawyer that one day I might give relief to millions of persecuted Christians around the globe.”

Hannah continues to volunteer for the British Asian Christian Association.  You can help support our work by donating.