Age 16-18
Many congratulations to New City College ICT student Iman Shakeel Darr whose community work has been recognised with the UK Lions Club Young Ambassadors Shipshape Award 2023.
Iman, who studies at Epping Forest campus, not only runs his own charity, but he is also dedicated to working at various foodbanks, including the Serving Humanity Foundation Foodbank and the Community Kitchen. He is part of the local youth development programme where he supports and inspires other young people to help others.
The award from the Lions Club – which was formed in 1917 and involves members working together to improve their communities and the world – is a huge achievement for Iman who was chosen by the judges from many 15 to 18-year-olds who were nominated across the UK.
He had to progress through a series of levels, club, zone, region and district – culminating in the final for the Lions Clubs International (GB) where he was announced as the winner of the Shipshape Award.
This award is presented to a Young Ambassador who demonstrates a particularly strong personal commitment and enthusiasm for their community work and his prize will be to further develop his leadership skills by joining a crew of young people and voyaging on board one of the Jubilee Sailing Trust Tall Ships for five days.
Epping Forest Deputy Principal Sue Clark said: “This is an amazing opportunity for Iman and I am sure he will benefit greatly from the experience. He was a worthy winner of the award and everyone at New City College is extremely proud of him.”
Lions President Christopher Eglington said: “What an amazing weekend we have had the privilege of being part of, the Lions Young Ambassador finals. If you ever want to be inspired, this was the place to be! The young people who took part left us in awe at the huge amount of service they give to their local communities. Our young people are our future, we need to support them and recognise them with awards such as these.”
