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Star volunteer honoured by the Mayor at Redbridge Asian Women's Fair

Wednesday 22 July 2009

L-R: Balvinder Kaur Saund, Abida Iqbal, Jasbir Panesar

The achievements of Redbridge volunteer hero Abida Iqbal were recognised at the annual Education and Training Fair for Asian Women in Redbridge held in Ilford Town Hall on Thursday 16 July.

Over 550 people from all over the borough attended the popular annual event, jointly organised by the University of East London (UEL), and the London Borough of Redbridge. Visitors took part in activities throughout the day, and visited stalls from local organisations offering advice and guidance on education, training, business, and community support.

The Fair was opened by the Mayor of Redbridge, Cllr Thomas Chan, who also presented the Redbridge Asian women's achievement award to Mrs Abida Iqbal for her outstanding record of voluntary and community service over the past four decades.

Mrs Iqbal came to UK in 1970's and has volunteered as a play group leader and supervisor, run a training centre for disabled women, founded and chaired the Muslim Disabled Association, now part of the Redbridge Disabled Women's Welfare Association.

She volunteered for Redbridge Night Shelter and is patron of the Al-Shifa Eye Hospital. Since the 7/7/05 London bombings she has organised a campaign for love peace and unity, bringing together local churches, mosques, Gurdwara, Mandir and Synagogue. She has raised thousands of pounds for victims of the Pakistan earthquake and other good causes.

Jasbir Panesar, Community Development Co-ordinator at the University of East London, has organised the Education and Training Fair for Asian Women events across east London over the past 14 years.

Jasbir Panesar said: “It is wonderful to honour Abida and to see how the event has grown over the past decade. We are grateful to our partners for again hosting an enjoyable day and a great chance for women from diverse backgrounds to share their experiences and enthusiasm.”

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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