The founder of a Bolton youth club, which has already helped hundreds of people, says he feels 'so privileged' to receive a Royal award.
Believe Achieve CIC first opened in on Market Street, Farnworth on May 18 last year Street, with 690 young people now registered with them and 450 families accessing their food bank services.
Founder Tunde Olasupo has now been honoured with a Platinum Champion Award and has opened up about how the loss of his baby son and other personal challenges have affected him.
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He said: "I felt so privileged to be receiving this special award from Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cornwall.
“Moment like this reminds me of how I started in a very unsettling neighbourhood, East London the place where I grew up as a young black male from a low income family background.
The Believe Achieve Centre has already helped hundreds of young people
“I went through many personal challenges including the loss of my beloved only brother Idris Olasupo who I looked up to as my role model and mentor.
“Thanks to Royal docks learning and activities centre who helped me discover my passion in youth and community work.
“I’ve always believed in ethos of giving back to the community and it was for that reason I founded Believe Achieve CIC as a centre to deliver the change that Farnworth hasn’t experienced for over 100 years.”
As Mr Olasupo explained, his commitment has been strengthened by personal tragedy.
He said: “The catalyst for change in Farnworth is desperately needed for the community especially for the young people who are pleading for healthier and better future.
“Despite my recent personal loss, the death of Kingsley Olasupo my baby son who died from a viral infection due to neglect at Bolton hospital, this had strengthened my believe for the change that this community needs including a better health service to serve the community.”
The centre is located inside the old Barclays Bank building on Market Street, Farnworth
Mr Olasupo has dedicated the work the centre does to baby Kingsley and is all set for an official opening on November 22 this year with Metro Mayor Andy Burnham and Mayor of Bolton Cllr Akhtar Zaman both set to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony.
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