Portsmouth father awarded honour for helping vulnerable migrants settle in city

Father-of-two Golam has been named as a recipient of the British Empire Medal for his work for the British Red Cross as refugee support staff and an emergency responder during the Covid-19 response.

The 51-year-old from Portsmouth said he was ‘humbled’ to get the honour – but nearly mistook the notification email as spam.

He hopes his honour will inspire others to help in their community where they can.

Golam, who has been a staff member for five years, said: ‘I have received unfathomable support from my colleagues, fellow volunteers and line managers in doing what I do. They all, and my family who are so supportive, are part of this wonderful journey.

‘When I first got the email I thought it was spam. Luckily I thought I would check it in case someone had sent me an email in a weird format and I was absolutely gobsmacked.

‘To get this is absolutely humbling. I think it is so important to help others and I hope people that see what I and others have done will be inspired to do what they can because when we all do a little it makes a lot.

‘There has been reports during the pandemic about how vulnerable BAME people are to this virus. I am BAME but I took precautions and went out and helped so I hope that helps others to feel less fearful.’

When Covid-19 hit, Golam selflessly led much of the newly organised support services for vulnerable migrants in Hampshire.

He mobilised and delivered food, medicine and other essentials to dozens of isolated, shielding households, as well as making welfare checks, assessing people’s hardship needs and pioneering ways to safely provide destitute members of the community with Tesco e-vouchers so they could buy the basics with dignity and choice.

SEE ALSO: Navy medic honoured for helping to fight Covid on HMS Queen Elizabeth

Golam works in the week with the British Red Cross, spending his weekends as a crisis response south east tactical cell weekend coordinator.

He volunteers all other spare time for local emergency response (ER), City of Sanctuary and Cycling UK.

He said: ‘My children often say they miss me when I am not at home, because I am out delivering groceries in Gosport and medicines in Havant, but they know where I am what I am doing.

‘My six-year-old son asked me the other day when he will be allowed to go out and help as many people as his daddy does. I think it is so important that they learn to help people because you never know when you may get sick or need help for any reason and then people will extend their hand to you.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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