An Oldham man has been invited to the coronation of King Charles III.
Afruz Miah BEM, also known as Oldham’s ‘running man’ has been invited to the coronation.
Just 2,000 people from across the world have been invited to Westminster Abbey on May 6, when King Charles is set to be crowned.
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Included in the invite list are more than 850 community and charity representatives, including more than 450 British Empire Medallists (BEM).
The medal ‘recognises the achievement or contribution of service to the community in a local area’.
Two of Oldham’s other BEM medallists, Sergeant Damien Hartley-Pickles and Ibrahim Youaf, are not on the list – showing just how small the invite list is for the event.
Miah was named in the Queen’s new-year list for services to charity and fundraising back in January 2022.
He is known for his fundraising challenges, which include running from Oldham to London while fasting for Ramadan, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and walking from Oldham to Bradford.
The campaigner received further recognition at Oldham’s Jubilee celebrations, where he was one of 70 torchbearers. He was even invited to attend a tea party at Buckingham Palace.
Afruz began running in 2019 following a health scare and fundraises for the Global Relief Trust.
He said: “There must be somebody else who’s better deserving than me, I don’t know why I’ve got it.
“I’m excited, at the same time a bit nervous. The last time I went was when I got my BME award I went to Buckingham Palace last year.
“This is different, there’s going to be dignitaries from all over the world.”
Afruz received an email invitation, followed by another one through the post.
Afruz said: “The postman dropped it off a couple of days ago. He knew about it, he goes ‘Oh, royalty, you’re royalty’.”
The invitation, which came inside an envelope bearing the royal cypher, was designed by Andrew Jamieson, whose work is inspired by the themes of Arthurian legend.
Miah added: “I just couldn’t get my mind over it, I feel honoured to be invited but humble at the same time.”
The coronation ceremony is set to take place on Saturday, May 6. It is expected to start at 11am.
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