Slough charity given award for humanitarian efforts

## Slough-Based Khalsa Aid Honored with Prestigious Humanitarian Award

Khalsa Aid, a charity based in Slough, has been presented with the Lions International Humanitarian Award, an accolade previously bestowed upon figures such as former First Lady Nancy Reagan, 39th US President Jimmy Carter, and Italian singer Andrea Bocelli. The award acknowledges "exceptional dedication to humanitarian service."

Ravi Singh, who founded Khalsa Aid International in Slough in 1999, accepted the award on behalf of the organization. The charity operates under the Sikh principle of Seva, which translates to selfless service. Its extensive work includes providing emergency supplies, medical assistance, clean water, and long-term recovery aid to communities in nearly 50 countries affected by conflict.

The award also includes a $500,000 grant, designated to support the charity's ongoing global relief initiatives.

Past recipients of the award include Nancy Reagan, who received it in 1983-84 for her efforts against drug and alcohol abuse. Former US President Jimmy Carter was honored in 1995-96 for his humanitarian work and his long-standing membership with Lions Clubs. Andrea Bocelli received the Humanitarian Award in 2012-13 for his Andrea Bocelli Foundation (ABF), which supports disadvantaged children in Hamburg, Germany.

Singh received the award at a special ceremony held at the 2026 Lions International Convention in Hong Kong at the beginning of July. He expressed feeling "humbled" by the global recognition of the charity's work, emphasizing the significance of acknowledging the efforts of volunteers both locally and internationally.

The grant will be allocated to current projects, including flood relief operations in Assam, India, and the construction of shelters in Beirut for thousands of individuals relocating from southern Lebanon. Khalsa Aid is also actively supporting people affected by the civil war in Sudan.

Singh highlighted that "charities only grow with organic support from donors." He articulated his personal motivation, stating, "I love people full stop, I don't see religion, race, colour, I see people struggling and that's genuine drive."

In addition to its international efforts, Khalsa Aid has established the Langar Aid community kitchen in Coventry, which provides hundreds of hot meals.

Lions Clubs International, a global volunteer network founded in the United States in 1917, facilitates community assistance through collaborative efforts. It has evolved into the world's largest service club organization, boasting over 1.4 million members across nearly 50,000 local clubs in 200 countries and geographical regions worldwide. Within Berkshire, Lions International Clubs are present in Reading, Windsor, Newbury, and Bracknell.