A TEENAGE Pakistani Christian volunteer has bagged a prestigious award for giving up so much of her time.

Teachers at King Solomon High School in Barkingside say 13-year-old Hannah Chowdhry is “always taking on new and exciting projects”.

So it came as no surprise to them when they were told she was being given a Jack Petchey Achievement Award last week.

Daughter of the Ilford-based British Pakistani Christian Association (BCPA) chairman Wilson Chowdhry, Hannah has spent the last few months encouraging her peers of all faiths to get involved in volunteering for them.

The BCPA was set up in 2009 after a Christian couple in Pakistan were wrongly accused of using torn pages of the Koran as wedding confetti, which sparked mass violence, nine deaths, and destroyed churches.

It now works across the country and beyond to support Pakistani Christians and other minority groups.

Back in Redbridge, Hannah has been involved with creating nativity displays at Christmas, organising the borough’s Easter parade, and visiting nursing homes to keep elderly residents company.

As a Redbridge environmental team ambassador she has also helped set up a new borough-wide recycling programme throughout schools and faith groups in the area.

During the Easter school holidays she will be giving up mornings to help read books about recycling to youngsters at Fulwell Cross Library in Barkingside.

Congratulating her, Jack Petchey co-ordinator at King Solomon High Ms Liu said: “Hannah is dedicated and passionate about the work she does and is always taking on new and exciting projects.

“Well done Hannah.”