Labonya Siddiqui was presented with the UcLan Education Achievement award at this year’s Fusion Awards.

Labonya Siddiqui of Burnley is a burns victim who has become an inspiration to her community.

From a very young age Labonya has risen above her own problems and fought back to succeed not only in education…but in life.

Labonya was in Bangladesh and just eight years old when suffered horrific burns after a kerosene lantern exploded in her face, engulfing her whole body.

Despite the injuries she pulled through. She did not attend school for three years so when she came to the UK she was fearful that she would be shunned and bullied.

But the determined young girl wanted to teach people that despite everything they can still succeed as human beings. She attended Thomas Witham High School school in Burnley and then finished her A-Levels and is now completing a Chemistry degree at Bradford University.

She went on to realise her dream of becoming a model and appeared as part of a campaign for high street giant Next.

She said, “I am really honoured to win this award. It feels wonderful.

“I think it is important that young people take advantage of the education opportunities they have. Many people in poor countries do not have these opportunities.

“When I lived in Bangladesh I badly wanted to go to school but could not. When I came here it was difficult to settle in as I had missed three years of schooling.”

Introducing Labonya to the stage Pro Vice chancellor at UcLan Professor Rod Dubrow-Marshall said, “Labonya is a powerful example of education and never giving-up and you look forward. She is an inspiration to many people here and across the world.

“She is amazing individual and is an example to our students that no matter what happens to them that they should never give-up.”