For more than 30 years, a Rotherham resident has worked tirelessly with the local public all in hope of creating a cohesive community and her efforts have now been royally recognised.
Zanib Rasool received her MBE for services to the community earlier this week from the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, at Buckingham Palace after being named on the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.
From breaking down ethnic and cultural barriers in football, to supporting victims of domestic violence, Miss Rasool has been involved in tens of projects during her time in South Yorkshire.
Speaking to the Asian Express, she expressed her delight at receiving the award and said it did come as a surprise.
“I was absolutely delighted to receive the news, not just for myself but for everyone I work with,” she said.
“People in the Rotherham community work so hard to develop the lives of people in our local area and a lot of Asian women who I have worked with in particular deserve a lot of credit.
“It did come as a surprise when I received the news and it was great especially for my nieces as I can see it helping to inspire them, and others like them, to put back into the community.”
In the early 1980’s, Miss Rasool was a key player in the establishment of the United Multi-Cultural Centre, the first community organisation in Rotherham dedicated to supporting Asian women.
Working in her local area of Masbrough and Ferham, she has also helped develop and sustain a number of projects whilst acting as Chair of the Ferham Children Centre and serving as a Magistrate in Rotherham.
Since 2005 she has also been Trustee of Apna Haq (BME domestic violence project) and a trustee of Home Start Rotherham.
In 2008 she became Community Project Manager of Rotherham United Community Sports Trust (RUCST) where she still works on making football more inclusive for all ethnicities and cultures, whilst also playing an influential role in securing over £1.4m of external funding.
Under her leadership RUCST was the Football League 2012 Community Club of the year.
