Former Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Dr Zahid Chauhan OBE, has been awarded the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Oldham, becoming the first Asian person to receive this prestigious civic honour. The title, which has been granted to just 28 individuals in Oldham's history, recognises Dr Chauhan's long-standing contribution to public life across the town.

Dr Chauhan, who also works as a GP, has been a prominent figure in Oldham for years, particularly through his efforts to tackle health inequalities and his service as a local councillor. In response to the accolade, Dr Chauhan expressed his gratitude, saying it was "a privilege" to represent the community and that the honour reflected the efforts of many.

In a related development, the Mayor of Oldham, Cllr Dr Chauhan, recently officially opened a new COVID Memorial Garden at Alexandra Park. The special area of reflection was created to honour those who lost their lives to the pandemic and marks five years since the crisis began. The garden provides a peaceful space for residents to remember loved ones and reflect on the impact of the pandemic on the Oldham community.

Meanwhile, a local charity has benefited from the generosity of students at The Brian Clarke Church of England Academy. Homeless Friendly visited the school to collect Christmas donations as part of the school's Advent Challenge. Year 10 pupils organised the hampers, choosing to support homeless charities this year. The donations will help provide essential items for people experiencing homelessness in Oldham and beyond.

These events highlight the strong community spirit in Oldham, with Dr Chauhan's honour and the ongoing efforts to support those in need showing the town's commitment to public service and compassion.