On 30th December, Wednesday two Asians were presented with the prestigious Points of Light award. Reena Popat, has been volunteering alongside her cousin and fellow Point of Light Chandni Sejpal Shah to deliver over 1,700 care packages across London to vulnerable people in response to the pandemic. In the meantime, 8-year-old Milan Kumar, from Bolton, has written and self-published his own book, ‘Covid Christmas Parade’, about a young boy spreading festive cheer during the pandemic. This is raising money for the National Literacy Trust to support other children whose literacy and learning have been most affected by Covid-19.
Reena said, “With the gloom and despair of Covid-19, my cousin Chandni Sejpal Shah and I wanted to show our support for the community and those most in need. With the considerable donations received from our families, friends, colleagues and virtual strangers we were able to deliver meal deals to the homeless and care packs to front line workers. With so much generosity and kindness we have been able to continue our efforts for nine very challenging months.
“I am honoured to receive the Points of Light Award from the Prime Minister and equally proud to be part of this community. So many people have come together in these vital times to show unity and provide cheer not only to those most in need but also to those who continue to work tirelessly.”
Together with Chandni and a team of volunteers, they have delivered food and supplies to homeless people, working with mother and baby hostels, women’s hostels, young people’s hostels and hostels with residents that are entrenched rough sleepers with very complex needs. They have also delivered over 700 care packages to NHS staff and patients across hospitals in London, the ambulance service, fire service, hospices and a nursing home, as well as provided more than 450 activity packs to support children in local hospitals and for their siblings, as well as for neonatal families at the Neonatal intensive care unit and special care baby units.
Milan was inspired to write his book after completing a lockdown challenge in the spring of 2020 to read 50 books over three months, which received praise from the patron of the National Literacy Trust, the Duchess of Cornwall. He has also supported the charity by joining their summer fundraising challenge, #FitforLit, by cycling 50 laps a day (one for each book he read) over ten days around the University of Bolton stadium, and has become a Premier League Reading Stars Ambassador for Bolton Wanderers Football Club, as part of the programme the charity runs in partnership with the Premier League to inspire children to get into reading through their love of sport. Proceeds from his book are also going towards the National Literacy Trust.
Milan said, “I am greatly honoured that the Prime Minister has recognised my fundraising efforts for the National Literacy Trust.
“My newly published children’s book on Amazon called ‘Covid Christmas Parade’ is all about a young boy who is determined to bring back his town’s Christmas cheer in light of the pandemic.
“I feel proud knowing I have made a difference to the lives of other children affected by Covid-19 because reading promotes health and wellbeing. I love reading and learning about the world through books and I want to help as many children as possible discover the magic of reading and all the great benefits it comes with.
