THE LORD Mayor of Oxford is to host a tea party tomorrow night to celebrate the British Empire Medal (BEM) awarded to Shabnam Sabir in the New Year Honours list.

Ms Sabir was recognised for services to homeless and young people in Oxford and said it would be a 'wonderful honour' to have tea with Councillor Colin Cook.

She began delivering leftover food from friends and family to homeless people in Oxford in 2015, which led to her setting up the Oxford Homeless Project.

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In addition to a full time job at EMBS Community College, Ms Sabir is the organiser of the Oxford Eid Extravaganza and volunteers for Oxfordshire Refugee Solidarity.

The celebratory tea party will take place in the Lord Mayor’s Parlour in Oxford Town Hall. Ms Sabir’s guests will include her family, Oxford Homeless Project volunteers and the project’s co-founder, Tayyaba Hameed.

Mr Cook said: “Too often people working and volunteering to support our communities remain unsung. I am proud that Shabnam’s tireless efforts to help homeless and young people in Oxford have been recognised with a BEM, and that we are able to mark that with a celebration of our own.”

Ms Sabir added: “I am truly honoured to be recognised for this award and thank the Lord Mayor for this wonderful honour.

"I am also delighted to be able to share it with people that have been on this journey with me, including key volunteers from Oxford Homeless Project and our co-founder, Tayyaba Hameed, those who have worked with me to support young people over the years, and also my family who have been my pillar of strength. I am following my heart and that is to help others.”

Next week Mr Cook is due to a host a reception for members of each of the other 27 members of the European Union.