The Fusion Community Cohesion Award 2013 was shared between two community workers.

The final award supported by Blackburn with Darwen Council on the night saw John Magee of the Hype Foundation and Mohammed Ali Amla named joint winners.

They were presented the award by new Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Cllr Salim Mulla.

John turned his life around and is now using all of his experience and skills to help break down barriers between communities.

John helped set-up the ‘Streets Project’ alongside Blackburn Rovers professional footballer David Dunn.

The aim of this programme, which is now known as the ‘Hype Foundation’ was to enable young people to understand the consequences of their actions and to provide them with an opportunity to participate in a popular recognised sport of their choice. His mission and that of David’s is to embed a level of respect into the heart of every community and to breed a sense of achievement, self worth and success. His work has been quite unique in that it has crossed religious and cultural boundaries.

In the recent years Mohammed has helped to organise the ‘Experiencing Ramadan’ and ‘Iftar (breaking of the fast) with the homeless’ events.

Both have helped to dispel myths about the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The aim was for people of faiths and non to fast for the day, to understand why & how Muslims fast, to experience Iftar at a mosque and break fast together. Iftar with the homeless saw 100 Muslims and 60 homeless gather in Preston Town Centre.

John Magee said, “I was absolutely blown away – I wasn’t expecting that. To be even nominated for this award on behalf of me and David Dunn is unbelievable.

Mohammed Ali Amla, “All the finalists were absolutely amazing and they are involved in community cohesion work that is much needed this week.

“It has been amazing night. I wasn’t expecting to win.”