Harkishan Mistry has been nominated as a Community Champion at the Community Star Awards for his work for over 30 years, giving time to numerous community projects. The Community Star Awards, presented by the Lord Mayor of Bradford, and sponsored by the Telegraph and Argus, Better Start Bradford and Bradford Council is open to online voting.
Mistry was the driving force behind the Govindbhai Foundation, a family-based charity that raised £139,000 for great causes in 10 years. He works with SewaDay charity, encouraging members from the Indian community to commit 1 day to community projects. He led a successful drive to increase the number of blood donors from within the Asian communities of Bradford resulting in more registered donor centres, more sessions and more donors. Nominated by his brother Suresh Mistry for the awards, the nomination reads as, “The UK Blood bank has a shortage of donors from the Asian community, which has consequences for treatment.
“He has led a drive to increase blood donations, through a huge communication and educational campaign across the community. “He visited temples and community centres, liaised with the blood service to get new donation centres approved and encouraged new first-time donors, leading to 47 more blood donation sessions, almost 450 more donors from the Asian community and nine more sites such as temples being registered as donation centres.” On being nominated, Harkishan told Asian Voice, “I feel very privileged and happy – it’s nice to be recognised.” To vote for Harkishan please see http://peoplecanbradforddistrict.org.uk/community-star-awards-2018/community-champions/#voting%20hashtag%23voluntary
