Gulwali Passarlay

After travelling from Afghanistan over land alone aged 12, speaking no English, arriving in Kent in 2007, he moved to Manchester and had difficulty settling into community life. Suffering from stress, flashbacks and worried about his family, he still managed to attend school, commuting each day to Manchester by train. He was made school captain. He moved to Essa and helped other International New Arrivals (INAs). Essa appointed him Ambassador for INAs. He is involved in school life being Librarian, Student Voice, prefect, Senate member and Academy Ambassador. He has completed his DofE Bronze Award and is doing Silver level. In the community he does a lot of voluntary work and is a youth Councillor, Member of Children in Care Council (Voice4U), Young Ambassador for Refugee and Asylum Seekers, Young Labour Representative, Bolton Youth International New Arrivals Representative. He has made a DVD and distributed this to all Secondary schools and colleges in Bolton, with the intention of showing what can be achieved in a short time with determination and perseverance. He has truly made a difference to the lives of many young people across Bolton and as teachers, councillors and people from all walks of life have said: 'he really is inspirational'. I believe he is an excellent role model for young people of Bolton and he is a figurehead for vulnerable young people from all areas. So, therefore he should have the chance to carry the torch in Bolton.