A charity champion and community figure has been appointed to the role of Deputy Lieutenant in Greater Manchester by the Lord Lieutenant, Sir Warren Smith.

Muzahid Khan, 51, feels honoured to be chosen. Deputy Lieutenants are appointed by the Lord-Lieutenant and come from all walks of life to serve until the age of 75. The deputies assist the Lord Lieutenant in carrying out his role as the Queen’s representative.

He said: “When the news came out I was taken aback. I wasn’t even aware that I had been shortlisted. It is a voluntary and honorary role. I have met the Queen and the royal family when I received an invitation to Buckingham Palace as a young achiever when I was 28.”

About growing up in Oldham in the 80s he said:”It was normal for our windows to be smashed by racists and we would often be chased on the way to school or back. We would avoid certain streets and areas and we learnt to run really fast and to stay in groups.

“At the time we were lucky to have halaal food available as people would visit a local farm to buy poultry and we had a little mosque which was basically a converted terraced house.

Muzahid is also a published author, his first book, The Gift of Giving, released in May, details his journey from being a child in a village in Bangladesh to arriving in Oldham and his education and charitable work. All proceeds from his book are donated to Maggie’s Cancer Care in Oldham.

His book charts his childhood after coming to Oldham where racism was rampant and his battle against depression and the pleasure of working in such a diverse community.

“I do a lot of voluntary and charitable work including for Maggie’s Cancer Centre and get involved in fundraising campaigns and activities. I sit on the board of Positive Steps and Beacon Community Charitable Foundation which tackles health inequalities by providing guidance and information. I am a patron of many other causes.

“I was also involved with the Oldham Rohingya appeal to raise funds for 100 shelters for 800 people. I was part of the Oldham Yemen appeal which was organised by young people.

He added: “Things have gotten better in Oldham, I have improved myself and my community, in my book I also discuss my cycling adventures in Bangladesh where we carried out a 600km bike ride. It was the first ever international bike ride in the country.

Muzahid loves cycling and organises charity cycle rides in the United Kingdom and Bangladesh. From 28 June to 2 July, he will be cycling from Oldham to London to commemorate the 50 year anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh as part of #freedom50 and to raise funds for a charity which helps street children in Bangladesh.

“This is the second time we are cycling to London and hope to raise £100,000. We will cycle about 40 miles a day over five days.

He is a mentor to businesses across the North West and has helped many new businesses over the years by giving advice, guidance and support. He has also worked in local government specialising in regeneration and is a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) coach.

Councillor Luthfur Rahman deputy leader at Manchester City council said: “I have known Muzahid for over 15 years and have seen first-hand his passion and dedication to improving the lives of people in our communities. His appointment to the office of Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester is a fitting testament to his contribution to society and also a vehicle for him to continue the exemplary work he has been doing.”