THE first British-born, Asian male children’s nurse in the UK has received prime minister Boris Johnson’s daily Points of Light award.

Rohit Sagoo founded ‘British Sikh Nurses’ charity in 2015 to bridge the gap between the NHS and people from South Asian backgrounds by highlighting issues such as mental health, organ donation, gender and abuse and the impact of diabetes prevalent within the community.

Sagoo has encouraged over 10,000 new stem cell donors from South Asian backgrounds, visiting gurdwaras around the country to increase awareness about the urgent need for new donors from within BAME communities.

“Congratulations on the success of ‘British Sikh Nurses’ and your extraordinary effort to encourage thousands of new stem cell donors,” Johnson said in a personal letter to Rohit.

“At a time when our NHS faces enormous pressures, you are engaging your members to look after their physical and mental well-being. You have also fantastically supported the NHS with initiatives to increase stem cell donors and organ donors.”

Rohit is the 1514th person to receive the award which was first launched in April 2014 to recognise outstanding individuals making a difference where they live.

Rohit said: “As the founder of ‘British Sikh Nurses’, I am overwhelmed to have been considered for a Points of Light Award by the prime minister. I have worked hard to bridge the gap between the NHS and the South Asian Community by promoting and raising awareness of health and well-being issues that affect the South Asian Community and it is a privilege, as a nurse, to care for the needs of the South Asian community.”

The prime minister makes daily announcements of the winners to celebrate, encourage and promote volunteering and the value that it brings to the country, an official statement said.