This is the amazing moment a popular volunteer and sports organiser who suffered a stroke earlier this year helped to present awards at a local football tournament.

Abdul Basit who is known to many as 'Bertie' picked up the Community Sports honour 2017 at the Fusion Awards in May for his services to the community.

He suffered a debilitating stroke soon after but you can't keep a good man down! He was back helping to raise money for a worthy cause and helping to plan football events.

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Abdul was paralysed on one side following the stroke and is now in a wheelchair. He spent four months recovering.

He said, “I owe a lot to the staff at both institutions who looked after me and helped me get back home to my family to carry on my recovery which may now take a while with no time frame on it.”

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The aim of the day was to raise funds for the Pennine Acute Hospital’s Charity, Stroke Unit, which supported Abdul during his recovery.

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The over-40s tournament was organised by Muslim Charity in partnership with the Oldham Veteran’s Football Club (OVFC), Rochdale BASA, Red Star Bengal FC and WSA.

The tournament showcased veterans aged 40-50 from across the UK, with teams from Oldham, Rochdale, Burnley, Rossendale, Manchester, Bradford and Birmingham.

The final between Balti Boys and Kampianos saw the latter from Burnley take the honours. Koys Uddin of Kampionas was named Player of the tournament.

It raised £1,000 for new equipment at the Stroke Unit of Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.
 
Big thanks to Jewel Miah (Red Star Bengals), Moheen Uddin (Muslim Charity), Dee (BASA) and Az Khan (WSA) who helped to organise the event.

You can still donate to Abdul’s cause here

(Article contribution by Dewan Choudhury, Rochdale BASA)