Volunteers, charity champions and entrepreneurs from across the North West are represented in the 2015 Fusion Awards shortlist.
The region’s biggest awards event of it's kind will take place  in front of 400 guests  on Saturday 30 May in the Concert Hall, King George’s Hall, Blackburn.
Community groups includes the Lancashire Women’s Centre, which celebrates it’s 30th anniversary this year; The Bhai group from Bolton is dedicated to serving Hindu elders in the town. 
The Woman of the Year Award rewards individuals who are going out of their way to inspire others. Rashmi Barker of Darwen is taking part a 50-mile journey on her hand-powered bike.  Jyoti Karri is a volunteer who has conducted a number of projects looking to improve her neighbourhood and Joanne Booth is a volunteer at Broughton House - a care home in Salford for ex service men and women.
The Man of the Year Award includes, Rizwan Iqbal who through his work in art has looked to highlight important issues. Dr Asim Shahmalak from Cheshire has helped to reconstruct the features of acid attack victims in Pakistan. Bashir Ahmed is a cancer Survivor and who has aimed to raise awareness of the illness within the Asian community.
The BAE Systems Youth Leadership Award includes the youth-led Mini Muslimah Crew of Preston. Brierfield  Action in the Community  have helped  to initiate  a  number of projects for young people as have Blackburn based, Slyncs.
The Community Cohesion Award celebrates a wide  range  of  groups, individuals  and projects who’s  aim has  been to  bring  communities  together  and  highlight  common themes. 
‘Let Us Remember’ in Blackburn is a gathering organised  by multi-faith groups  for  bereaved  families. Rev\’d Dr Anderson Jeremiah is a lecturer from Lancaster University who  has  worked tirelessly in helping to  improve  community  relations.
A  Lancashire County Council led  initiative  aimed to educate  school children of  the contribution of  Asians  in the first World war is recognised too.
The ceremony is supported by University Technical College Bolton (UTC), BAE Systems, Blackburn with Darwen Council,  AKSA Homes, AMT Lawyers and Kumon Maths.

The Fusion Awards 2015 list aims to reward the North West’s charity and community groups as well individuals who are inspiration to those around them. In particular it recognises the efforts of individuals who remain unsung heroes in their towns and cities.

Man of the Year
Bashir Ahmed 
Rizwan Iqbal 
Dr Asim Shahmalak 

Woman of the Year
Rashmi Barker
Jyoti Karri 
Joanne Booth

Community Group of the Year
Aashiyana Women’s Group 
Bolton Hindu Age Inspiration (BHAI)
Freehold Community Group
Lancashire Women’s Centres (Various)
Vision (Oldham)
Fair For All

Public Service Award
Anas Ounia
Inspector Umer Khan
Dr Yasmin Sajjad
Qamar Shazad
Juliette Guerin

Youth Leadership Award
Haris Ali
Brierfield Action in the Community
Hansa Ahmed
Mini Muslimah Crew
Slyncs

Entrepreneur of the Year
Vaishakhi Chhotai-Doshi
Talib Hussain
Asif Timol and Salman Bariwala 
Safiya Ugradar

Community Cohesion Award
Commemoration of the Jullundur Brigade
 ‘Let Us Remember’ Blackburn 
Rev’d Dr Anderson Jeremiah 
Nick Yardley ‘The Towers of Babel’
Star Festival Preston

Individual awards will be awarded on the night for the UTC Bolton Education Achievement  Award, The Aksa Homes Neighbourhood Champion, Achievement in Sport Award, The Mumtaz Ellahi Community Sport Award and the Community Achievement  Award 2015. 

This year’s event will take place in the Concert Hall, King George’s Hall in Blackburn on Saturday May 30. For Further information call 01254 298263.