Prime Minister Awards Penny Appeal's Founder and Chairman, Adeem Younis the points of Light Award

Award presented by James Peter Brokenshire (Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government) on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Founder and Chairman of Penny Appeal, Adeem Younis was recognized by the current Prime Minister Theresa May, for his exceptional service to the charity sector. Thanks to Adeem, Penny Appeal is able to provide development and education projects in over 30 crisis-hit countries on six continents.

In a personal letter to Adeem, Prime Minister Theresa May said; "Through Penny Appeal, you have created an innovative way for Muslims to give their Zakat to a range of causes in over 30 countries worldwide. Your work is contributing vital services to those in need, rebuilding communities affected by disaster and enriching lives."

In the UK, Penny Appeal offers a range of services including domestic violence counselling, a fostering and adoption agency and an emergency response unit. Our work has been particularly important in response to both the Manchester bombings and the Grenfell tragedy. Overseas, we provide a variety of development programmes and emergency aid efforts, including recently the New Zealand Mosque attack and Cyclone Idai.

The Penny Appeal we all know and love today was founded by Adeem in 2009, with a dream to change into a big difference. Adeem has established important partnerships with leading organisations, including the Department for Education, the Amir Khan Foundation, and the Jo Cox Foundation. He also ensures that the work we do here at Penny Appeal is closely tied to the local community in Wakefield, offering internships and work experience opportunities for local young people. Adeem was winner of Charity Chair of the Year at the Third Sector Excellence Awards 2018, so with all his glowing achievements it comes as no surprise that his work should be recognized by Prime Minister Theresa May.

Adeem Younis with ‪Larry the cat, Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office at 10 Downing Street.

Adeem is the latest recipient of the Prime Minister’s Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. The award was accompanied by a personal letter to Adeem from the Prime Minister.

The Points of Light award has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in the USA, which was founded in 1990. Over 6,000 Points of Light have been awarded in the USA, and former Presidents have publicly supported the partnership with Points of Light UK. There is a similar cross-party approach to the UK programme and MPs from different parties often present their constituents with their Points of Light awards. Regardless of whether it’s a doctor restoring local monuments in her free time, a father teaching young people life skills, or a local musician giving a voice to lonely people, the Points of Light award honours shining examples of volunteering across the UK.

In regards to his own Points of Light award, Adeem said, "Penny Appeal started as a big idea in a small office tucked away in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. 10 years later we have been honoured to transform over 20 million lives and serve the most vulnerable in over 30 countries around the world, including the UK. All of this would not have been possible without the thousands of volunteers who have dedicated their time with us. This award is dedicated to them. They are all points of light, radiating hope and smiles, and reminding us just what makes Britain truly great!"

We are so unbelievably proud to have a leader like Adeem; he inspires those around him and elevates our charity work to the next level. Congratulations on this monumental achievement for you and for us here at Penny Appeal, Adeem!

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