Jerry Ashraf

Khalil is a true inspiration. Not just to me as a colleague, but to the entire community around the school. He is officially employed as a learning mentor at a primary school but his other roles in the neighbourhood include sports coach, community cohesion worker, football academy founder and manager, youth club founder, minibus driver, race relations forum founder, community/police liaison worker, kick-it-out (racism) campaigner, Bradford City FC scout, holiday activity co-ordinator (known as the 'Playscream'), & 1st-aider. He has a great love for football and the role it can play in bringing people together from diverse backgrounds..The most recent example of this was the competition he arranged as part of the National Refugee & Asylum Seeker Week promoting cohesion amongst the community (scene of the 2001 Bradford riots). He is right behind and usually spear-heading, anything at all that will benefit the people of the Manningham area and his attitude and ethic is infectious. He co-ordinates a merry band of volunteers from all walks of life for the many projects he manages who come back for more week after week with a smile on their faces. What stands out most is his ability to inspire whoever is involved to be the best they can be. He is a friend to all, showing the utmost respect to all creeds, races, ages, & genders. I genuinely can't imagine how anyone could embody the Olympic & Paralympics values more than him. Or a more selfless & deserving torch bearer.