COMMUNITY cohesion campaigners and charitable organisations lead the list for this year’s Fusion Awards

The 2017 ceremony will take place in the Concert Hall at King George’s Hall, Blackburn on Saturday, May 13.

The awards, supported by the Lancashire Telegraph's sister newspaper Asian Image, attract audiences from towns and cities in the region, as well as people from all backgrounds, cultures and religions.

This year charitable projects that assist people across the world as well as locally are being honoured.

And the work of young people and community groups who are making a difference in helping to dispel myths is also featured.

Five individual honours include the UCLan Education Achievement Award, Achievement in Sport Award, Community Sports Award and the Entrepreneur of the Year and the Community Achievement Award.

The official charity in 2017 will be national charity Penny Appeal.

Amongst the groups nominated are the East Lancashire Deaf Society, Carers Link Lancashire, a service that provides support to carers across Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley and Blackburn’s Abu Hanifah Foundation, Pendle's Beyond Labels, Blackburn United Girls Football team, Blackburn Youth Zone and The New Beginnings Project of Blackburn YMCA.

A BAE Systems spokesman said: “We are proud to be supporting the awards and look forward to reading the inspiring stories of what young people are doing to make life better for the places we live, work and play.”

A UCLan statement said: “We are proud to be supporting the Education Achievement Award which honours those who have excelled in their education against the odds or have helped to inspire their local community through volunteering and charitable work.”

Penny Appeal Community Group of the year
Abu Hanifah Foundation (Blackburn)
Carers Link Lancashire (Regional)
Connect UK (Blackburn)
East Lancashire Deaf Society (Regional)
Love & Etiquette Foundation (Regional)
Sri Lankan Bolton Community (SLBC) UK

BAE Systems Youth Leadership Award
Blackburn United Girls Football team
Beyond Labels: In Young Men’s Shoes (Pendle)
My Place Project (Regional)
Oldham Compass Scouts

Public Service Award
Dr Rehana Master
Naz Zaman
Sherish Aslam
Sister Lynne Bromley 

Man of the Year
Mohammed Patel
Moheen Uddin
Shazad Shauket

AMT Lawyers Woman of the Year
Aisha Mirza
Marzia Babakarkhail
Haesel Abbott 

Community Cohesion Award
Blackburn Youth Zone
Bolton Hindu Forum
Faith Network 4 Manchester (FN4M)
New Beginnings Project
Preston Muslim Society