Aaron founded and continues to run a project called Help Manchester which encourages young people locally to support day centres that feed and shelter homeless people each day. Recently, Aaron helped a refugee with no friends or family in the UK whom he and a friend met in the library. Acting as a friend, Aaron has given the man invaluable physical and emotional support. The legal advice secured and donations of clothing have been vital. Aaron studies Computing, and has set up a computing project, Console Code for underprivileged young people in North Manchester. Aaron had to pitch his idea to a panel of judges who decided it was worthy of funding
“Aaron is quite unique as all of this is entirely his own initiative, and he has truly changed people’s lives. Aaron really, genuinely cares about those living in poverty and making their voices heard,” says his college chaplain.
Aaron and his family have struggled at times. But he has nevertheless tirelessly worked to set up Help Manchester to provide support to others. Aaron has been through a lot, and has worked tremendously hard to get to where he is. The struggles he has faced and overcome might explain his determination to succeed in life, and his desire to help others do the same!
Aaron is an incredibly humble young man, and is always genuinely shocked and moved when his efforts are recognised and praised. It is testament to Aaron’s character that he often does not feel that he is doing anything special, just ‘what anyone would do’. And yet, what he does is not what anyone would do, especially not at 17 and 18 years old, and is, in fact something very special. Most people will never know how generous, compassionate and loving Aaron is and has been, but this award would shed some light on his fantastic work.
Aaron Omotosho,18
Loreto College, Manchester (Diocese of Salford)