A Glasgow charity founder has been recognised during an event celebrating Burns Night and showcasing the best of Scottish culture.
Khalid Raza, the founder of Wheels to Heal, was awarded the Points of Light accolade by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for the charitable work he's been carrying out since the charity launched in 2015.
He accepted the award during a celebration of Burns Night and Scottish culture at Downing Street this evening.
READ MORE: Test your knowledge of Robert Burns with our quiz
Khalid set up the charity after discovering 150 wheelchairs destined for scrap in Glasgow. He realised they could be easily recycled and transform the lives of disabled people who don't have access to mobility equipment due to impoverished situations, social stigma or conflict.
Entirely volunteer-led, the charity offers a collection service covering all of mainland Scotland, including the Highlands, as well as drop off points in the central belt.
It also runs an uplift service allowing over 500 care homes across the UK to donate unused but good-quality mobility aids.
The charity has also sent items to countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Gambia, Ghana, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Palestine, Malawi, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Uganda, and Yemen.
Khalid is the 1972nd person to receive the Points of Light award, which was first launched in April 2014 to recognise outstanding individuals making a positive change within their community and inspiring others.
Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements.
He said: "The award is testimony that the small, conscientious and selfless actions of a collective grassroots group of volunteering individuals can make a big impact on a global level. At home here in the UK, it is a shout against the waste culture that has been allowed to develop, an alternative to landfill, and instead creating an emotional legacy for thousands of equipment donors.
"Overseas, it is a huge cry of relief for those fortunate to be given the gift of mobility and some dignity, as well as a little voice for the millions of disabled people who continue to be invisible and face a lifetime of lockdown and barriers to accessing their community, education, employment and fulfilling their dreams. Things we all take for granted.
"As a charity operating on a shoestring budget, none of this would have been possible without the support of my parents and children, extended family, and friends, the goodwill given by UK businesses and community representatives, the donations received from people from all communities and walks of life, and our in-country charity partners.
"We hope this recognition of the environmental and humanitarian benefits of 'Wheels to Heal' will inspire more people to do the right thing when faced with similar choices."
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “Many congratulations to Khalid for tonight’s award. This is a selfless and very imaginative project, with positive humanitarian and environmental impacts that will endure for many years and extend far beyond our shores.
"It’s a fantastic example of the power of grassroots volunteering and one that should serve as a positive example to us all.”
In a personal letter to Khalid, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "As we mark Burns Night and celebrate everything that is special about Scottish culture, I am delighted to be able to recognise the ingenious work you are doing with Wheels to Heal.
"I was inspired to learn how your chance discovery of 150 wheelchairs going to landfill has led to a volunteering network that is giving literally thousands of people across the world access to wheelchairs and mobility aids.
"You have created an innovative way of preventing perfectly good equipment going to waste while transforming the lives of disabled people on a global scale."
READ NEXT:
Heartbreaking scene at Glasgow park as eight swans die in bird flu outbreak
Finnieston homes still without water today after major main burst
Glaswegians have their say on plans to 'transform' Buchanan Street and remove famous steps
Concert Hall steps removed in £800m Buchanan Street transformation plan images
