Gloria McKinley, 84, known as 'Mama Norma', has been honoured by First Choice Homes Oldham for her volunteering work with Support and Action for Women's Network (SAWN) in Chadderton. Mrs McKinley has cleaned donated furniture and household items since 2016, helping prepare them for sale at low cost or free distribution to those in hardship. She was nominated by SAWN's Audrey Murphy and received a Hidden Hero certificate and £50 shopping voucher from FCHO's Zack Grimes. The retired factory worker said she volunteers to stay active and feels the charity helps her as much as she helps it.
Steve Hill MBE, deputy headteacher at St Joseph's RC Primary School in Shaw, Oldham, has been named among the UK's 100 most influential people for 2026. The recognition comes from the Top 100 Influential People 2026 list, which highlights individuals excelling in education, health, business, sport and other fields. Hill is known for extreme fundraising challenges including running five consecutive marathons in Mongolia and hiking volcanoes in Central America. His Team Hill Charitable Trust recently collected Easter Eggs for Oldham's Young Carers and funded a water well in Uganda. Upcoming challenges include hauling a pulk sled across Svalbard's frozen wilderness and running the Uganda Marathon for the eighth time.
Hafsa Batan from Oldham has been named First Choice Homes' February Hidden Hero for her work supporting young people during school holidays through the Chadderton-based Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme delivered by the Yuvanis Foundation. Mrs Batan, who has volunteered with the foundation for two years, was nominated by chief executive Zakir Ahmad for her 'outstanding contribution' as a trusted role model. She recently supported a residential trip to Castleshaw for young girls and received the award from FCHO project officer Ghazalla Iqbal along with a £50 shopping voucher. The HAF programme provides free food and activities for children receiving benefits-related free school meals during holidays.