Dr Raja Amjid Riaz, from London, was among 26 exceptional individuals honoured with the esteemed British Citizen Award (BCA) at the Palace of Westminster. This recognition celebrates their outstanding contributions to society.

The Medal Presentation, held on Thursday, January 23, saw Raja receive the coveted BCA Medal of Honour for Service to Healthcare (BCAh). Recipients are entitled to use the post-nominals to commemorate their achievements.

Raja is an NHS Consultant Surgeon, community leader, charity worker and volunteer who has demonstrated exemplary commitment to his local community as well as dedication associated with his charitable, voluntary and humanitarian work. During the Covid 19 pandemic he showed selflessness and commitment – as well as working on the NHS frontline he responded to local needs volunteering with various food and health charity projects and schemes.

During the pandemic, Raja recognised a very low vaccine uptake amongst his community, so he set up a Covid 19 information/advice helpline as well as providing Covid 19 Test and Vaccination centre at the Central Mosque of Brent London. Through this service, they administered more than 13,000 inoculations to the local community.

Matt Allwright, Dr Raja Amjid Riaz and Stewart Reid

placeholder image — Matt Allwright, Dr Raja Amjid Riaz and Stewart Reid

Raja has also been instrumental in setting up other community health services such as Diabetic and Health Screening Days in association with Brent Health Matters, regular Lung Seminars in association with Asthma and Lung UK, a free community gym, as well as free health-related seminars. More recently, he has inaugurated a stand-alone Health and Medical Facility at the Mosque where various health facilities such as Diabetic Eye Screening and Physiotherapy services are available to a sector of society that might otherwise not be reached.

Raja was presented with the BCA Medal of Honour by Stewart Reid, Regional Managing Director for Sponsors Wates, who said: “The event was an opportunity to recognise people who have worked to make a considerable difference in their communities through incredible contributions to support others.

"This is something that resonates with our purpose to create homes and workplaces where people can thrive, so we were so proud to meet them and hear their amazing stories and I was humbled to present their Medals of Honour.”

The presentation was hosted by TV presenter Matt Allwright, and attended by BCA Patrons Dame Mary Perkins, Founder of Specsavers, supporters from Sponsors One Stop, Specsavers, Places for People, Wates and Novus Solutions as well as Peer Host The Rt Hon Lord Dholakia. Following the ceremony, medalists enjoyed an Open Top Lap of Honour tour provided by Big Bus London.