2017 Winner
Midland Langar Seva Society
An inspirational charity that feeds the homeless has been honoured with a Pride of Birmingham Award.
Randhir Singh Heer and Parmjit Singh Bahia started the Midland Langar Seva Society, which offers an open kitchen to “all and everyone” in need of food every night of the week.
Rooted in 500-year-old Sikh traditions of offering open kitchens at temples for anyone of any background, the charity’s teams of volunteers distribute hot food, treats and clothes to the community in Walsall, as well as Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry and Leicester.
A team of volunteers serve around 5,000 meals a week to the needy in 15 towns and cities. They rely on local people donating food, and also support school breakfast clubs.
Now Randhir and Parmjit have been presented with the Pride of Birmingham TSB Community Partner Award.
Randhir said: “Although the open kitchens provided by the Midland Langar Seva Society have their roots in Sikh tradition, we support all and everyone in need of food.
“Helping people most in need is something that spans every culture and every tradition.”
Pride of Birmingham, in partnership with TSB, honours unsung heroes of all ages who do extraordinary things to help others.
The pair received the Award on behalf of the charity at a star-studded dinner hosted by TV presenter and campaigner Katie Piper, and attended by some of the region’s biggest stars.
The judges said: “What Randhir has done is so selfless, and he has inspired a whole community to come together.”