Education minister presents Kamran with top award

A TEENAGER who used to hang around in the park causing a nuisance but now persuades youngsters to avoid joining gangs was honoured with a national award at the Houses of Parliament. Former Swanlea School pupil Kamran Hussain, from Whitechapel, was pres

A TEENAGER who used to hang around in the park causing a nuisance but now persuades youngsters to avoid joining gangs was honoured with a national award at the Houses of Parliament.

Former Swanlea School pupil Kamran Hussain, from Whitechapel, was presented with the Youth Engagement Award by Schools and Learning Minister Vernon Coaker at a ceremony at the Houses of Parliament yesterday.

The 19-year-old was picked for the award by the Rathbone charity which works with 15,000 young people at 74 centres up and down the country.

He got involved with its Lifetracks scheme and since then has become a mentor for other young people, contributed to workshops on gang culture and anti social behaviour and worked on a documentary about East London which will be shown at the Home Office.

He has also picked up health and safety at work and first aid qualifications.

A delighted Kamran said: "I have learned loads over the last year and become a better person. One thing I've learned from volunteering and mentoring is that you can be what you want to be when you have worked hard.