Bramley man supports inspirational awards

Bramley man Paul Abraham has sponsored the Igniting Inspiration Awards, writes Josie Armitage.

Paul is proud to be a sponsor of the high-profile annual Igniting Inspiration Awards set up by Inspiring Women Changemakers (IWC).

The Igniting Inspiration Awards campaign highlights inspirational human stories and facilitates conversations with people from a range of ages, backgrounds, races, faiths, sexual orientation and gender, who are all willing to support and motivate each other.

Paul said:

“Whenever I attend IWC events, there are often more than a few puzzled looks as to why I would want to attend something which is (in some people’s eyes) only for the females of the species!

“Thankfully I have followed my own beliefs and what I continue to experience exceeds my expectations.”

The awards are in their third year and the celebration event will take place at the Aspire-igen Opportunity Centre in Bradford on 28 November.

Paul said:

“Networking at IWC events has led to many insightful conversations which have ignited my own ambitions and have restored my faith in humanity. These awards encapsulate what social impact and inspiration are all about.”

The spotlight of this year’s awards is Mental Health. Paul added:

“Having experienced mental health issues since childhood and being five minutes from suicide in 2014, this is a matter close to my heart.

“Mental health issues can strike anybody at any time. In fact, according to MIND, one in four people in the UK will experience a MH problem in any one year and almost one in five people will experience suicidal thoughts and feelings during their lifetime.

“That’s why such events are needed and why Heading Onwards is honoured to be a sponsor for a second year running.”

Paul is now a registered Mental Health First Aider and owner of Heading Onwards, as well as the President of the Northern Boxers Federation.  

He is also a sponsor for Bramley Buffaloes and Bramley Park Crown Green Bowling Club. He is passionate about supporting others to improve their lives and proactively uses his links and connections to do this. 

Paul has nominated Sharon Burke of The James Burke Foundation and Gill Trevor from Phoenix Wellbeing in the Community Champion category this year.   Paul said:

“Their good work on mental wellbeing deserves recognition.”

Fellow Bramley resident Dawn Fletcher was nominated for the Community Champion category. 

She set up Bramley Look for a Book, a creative way for children and adults to enjoy books donated by Bramley residents who want others to enjoy the books they have read.

Dawn didn’t win but was commended by the judges for her work.  The judges said:

“What a great initiative! This is clearly a much-valued service and there is potential for this to spread to other local areas in the future.”