A 15-year-old student from Southall has received a prestigious award at City Hall for launching a pop-up food bank to support families struggling with the cost of living.
Mohammed Asraf, who is in Year 10 at Featherstone High School, was named Young Leader of the Year at the inaugural London Youth Achievement Awards, held on Friday night (2 May 2025). The ceremony, hosted at City Hall by the London Assembly and the London Youth Assembly, was established to recognise the contributions of young people across the capital.
In the run-up to Christmas last year, Mohammed organised the food bank at Featherstone Sports Centre, providing essential items such as food, household goods and toys to families in need.
Featherstone headteacher Nathan Walters praised the initiative at the time, saying: “To be so kind and thoughtful at this young age, Mohammed is a credit to his family and his school. He really is proof that Christmas can still be a time for giving.”
Winners were selected by panels made up of Assembly Members and Youth Assembly Members. The event also marked the start of the Assembly’s 25th anniversary celebrations.
The London Assembly acknowledged Mohammed’s work, stating: “Mohammed organised a pop-up food bank at Featherstone Sports Centre in Southall to give away food, household necessities and toys just before Christmas. Mohammed is already busy planning further pop-up events, learning lessons from his Christmas event to provide even greater support to his community in future.”
The success of the initiative has motivated Mohammed to expand his work further. Speaking to EALING.NEWS, he said: “I was delighted to be able to feed families that were struggling in my community.”
Mohammed added: “To see them so relieved to receive the much-needed supplies filled my heart with compassion. I hope to be able to do more this coming year for those people who need it in Southall, including a delivery service and another food bank.
“Expansion is also a great aspiration, so do spread the word and if anyone is willing to help, do get in touch.”
Andrew Boff AM, chair of the London Assembly, said: “These young people provide not only a bright future for London – but the leadership and the change that we need right now.”
Ashan Khehra, chair of the London Youth Assembly, added: “In every corner of London, young people are uplifting, building and changing our great city – but far too often their hard work goes unnoticed.”
