A CARING schoolgirl from Elderslie has been given the royal seal of approval for her impressive dedication to volunteer work.
Mariya Javed is one of 500 people from across the UK who have been recognised as Coronation Champions for their unwavering commitment to helping others.
The 13-year-old impressed judges with her steadfast resolve to keep her older brother's memory alive after his sudden passing in 2017.
Along with her parents and Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity, Mariya helped to set up charity Another Star in the Sky in memory of Ahmar.
He suffered from an illness known as Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) that caused him to suddenly develop a bleed on the brain.
Ahmar's parents Sameena and Javed had to take the agonising decision to turn off the 13-year-old's life support machine 10 days after he took ill while at a karate class.
Despite Mariya's grief, she has taken part in numerous charity events and raised around £20,000 for research into AVM and to fund bereavement services.
She has also campaigned for the inclusion of compulsory bereavement education into the Scottish school curriculum.
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Last year, the Castlehead High pupil was named Young Scotswoman of the Year, awarded by our sister title the Glasgow Times, for her caring efforts.
Mariya told The Gazette: "I am honoured to be crowned a Coronation Champion but I never thought I would get all this recognition.
"I just want to honour my brother, to make him proud of me and to help other young people who may sadly find themselves in a situation similar to mine.
"I would like to thank everyone at Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity for all the support they continue to give me, and to all my family, friends and supporters for their continued love and encouragement."
All Coronation Champions have been invited to attend one of the official Coronation celebrations, such as the Windsor Castle Coronation Concert or a Coronation Garden Party.
They will also receive a specially designed, official Coronation Champions pin and a certificate signed by Their Majesties.
Colonel Peter McCarthy, His Majesty The King's personal representative for Renfrewshire, said: "I am delighted to learn that Mariya has been recognised as a Coronation Champion.
"Mariya is one of only 500 Coronation Champions across the UK selected from thousands of nominations and one of the youngest in Scotland.
"This is such a wonderful accolade for all of Mariya's outstanding volunteering and fundraising activity, which has been such an inspiration to everyone in the Glasgow Children's Hospital community."
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