A YOUNG man who devoted his life to charities and interfaith work has been remembered at a memorial meal where helium balloons were released to celebrate each year of his life.

Lifelong Slough resident Shazad Yaseen, 32, died in November following a road accident in Pakistan.

On Saturday his family raised £8,000 for charities he supported at the meal held at Iqra School in Wexham Road. It was attended by Deputy Mayor Ishrat Shah along with family, friends and members of the community from all backgrounds.

Shazad, who lived in the Baylis area, devoted his short life to a variety of charities and was a keen advocate of interfaith work.

He worked for the Islamic Society of Britain, Muslim Aid, Islamic Help and participated in interfaith peace conferences, including speaking at the House of Commons.

His most recent role with UK-based Mankind Welfare Trust took him to Pakistan where he was collaborating with grassroots charities such as Ummah Care Foundation, who care for widows and orphans, before he was fatally injured on the way to a function in Lahore.

Shazad’s brother Ifraaz Yaseen said: “Shazad had a personality that connected with all individuals he met, he was unique in every way.”

“He lived in Slough all his life and had four sisters and one younger brother who loved him dearly and who are grieving from the great loss in the family.

“In a very short time of his life he achieved a great deal.

“As a family we were deeply touched by everyone’s kind words and accounts about Shazad. We raised £8000 on the memorial evening andwill be personally travelling to Pakistan to ensure Shazad’s legacy continues.”

“We thank everyone for their love and support they have shown over the last few weeks.”