A man who works at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Bolton has been commended for his charitable efforts.

Abdi Khalif, who also lives in Bolton, was nominated for a national Amazon Star by his colleagues.

He is one of the founders of Help Dadaab, a UK charity that provides education, shelter and access to medical facilities for people in Kenya.

Help Dadaab aims to educate and empower people living in conflict zones by promoting self-sufficiency through education.

After moving to the UK to further his career in logistics and operations, Abdi was inspired to create programmes to help people in his native Kenya.

This support, which includes fundraising, creating education programmes for young people and helping people access healthcare, has seen him receive the nomination.

Abdi said: “I am passionate about supporting my community back home through the work I do with Help Dadaab.

“When I came to the UK, I wanted to create something here that would benefit my community and the idea for Help Dadaab was born.

“What began as a simple plan to help people in my community experience a better quality of life has evolved into a charity that touches many different parts of society in the Horn and East Africa.

The Bolton News: Abdi Khalif at workAbdi Khalif at work (Image: Amazon)

“Today, we help people who are living with conflict obtain medical supplies, take part in education programmes and access shelter if they need it.

“My goal is to grow the work I do with the charity here in the UK so we can help even more people back home.

“I think it’s important to give back to a community that gave me so much and it’s great that I’m supported by my colleagues at Amazon in Bolton, who back my charity work.”

He added: “It’s an honour to be nominated for an Amazon Star award and I’d like to thank everyone at Amazon in Bolton for this kind gesture.” 

John Strydom, general manager at Amazon in Bolton, said: “The Amazon Stars programme is our way of saying thank you to our colleagues who go above and beyond to have a positive impact on the community.

“Abdi does some incredible work with his charity and everyone at Amazon is proud of him.

“Abdi is fully deserving of this fantastic nomination and I wish him the best of luck ahead of the big reveal of this year’s winners.”  

Now in its third year, Amazon Stars is a UK-wide campaign that recognises and rewards Amazon employees who make an outstanding contribution to the community by using their skills, time and knowledge to help others. 

Abdi’s support of his community in Kenya means he could win one of three Dream Boxes – the top prize awarded as part of the Amazon Stars programme.

A Dream Box, worth up to £1,500, is a personalised prize to honour Amazon’s community heroes.

Abdi will find out in the coming weeks if he has won a Dream Box.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at lewis.finney@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @lewisfinney18