An inspirational teenager from Oldham who has been fundraising for local causes since he was 12 has been shortlisted for a prestigious I Love Manchester award.

Ibrahim Yousaf, who is known fondly as Ibby by friends and family, has helped fundraise and raise awareness for 14 Oldham charities and his hospital charity over the past five years, through his various 'Team Ibby' challenges.

In recognition of his fundraising efforts, the 17-year-old was recently awarded the town's Civic Appreciation Award.

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts 

He was also the youngest person in Greater Manchester to have been named in the New Year Honours List for a British Empire Medal.

At the age of 13, he received the honour for services to the community of Oldham by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2020.

Whilst enduring his own severe health battle, Ibby sets challenges and organises fundraising events like bake sales and functioning gifts - and donates his pocket money every week to local charities and individual fundraisers.

Ibby also donates all his Eid money to local charities and has forgone his last five birthdays, instead asking for money that would've been spent on presents to go towards the fundraising pot.

Some of the charities he supports include the RMCH Charity, Maggie's Oldham, Dr Kershaw's, Mahdlo, Oldham Foodbank, Spoons, Ukeff, Oldham Street Angels, Action Oldham Fund, Real Change Oldham, Team Hill Charitable Trust, TeamReel, Young Carers Positive Steps, OACT and Point Send.

Now, the youngster is up for an I Love MCR Award 2023 in the 'young person of the year' category.

The I Love MCR Awards event celebrates Manchester's unique sense of civic pride by championing extraordinary people.

This year, the ceremony promises to be the biggest event yet as Manchester's most inspiring people, organisations and charities are in with a chance of winning one of 21 of its awards.

The 'young person of the year' award is to celebrate a "remarkable young person" who has made a significant impact in their community and is considered a true role model for young people everywhere.

Alongside Ibby are seven other shortlisted candidates and the Oldham teen said he feels "totally overwhelmed" to have even been nominated and shortlisted for this special award.

The teenager said he doesn't feel he deserves to be shortlisted as the charities he supports and the people of Oldham who support him so much are "the real stars".

He added: "As a young person of our town, I hope I can inspire fellow youths to never give up, no matter what they are dealing with, and to believe in themselves, to reach out and help others who may be struggling."

Ibby said he can't thank everyone enough for supporting him so much.

He also joins two other inspirational Oldhamers, Steve Hill MBE and Victoria Holden, who have both been shortlisted for an  I Love MCR award in the 'most loved community leader' category.

Meanwhile, a popular Oldham pub, the Fox and Pine, is also up for the 'most-loved pub' award.

The ceremony itself will take place on Thursday, November 23, at the new venue, DieCast Manchester, in Piccadilly.

The lively event is shaping up to be the biggest awards event the city has ever seen while every penny donated towards the night and raised through a raffle will go to the I Love MCR Foundation.

Votes can be made by visiting the website here: https://ilovemanchester.com/awards#shortlist 

If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.