A 15-year-old Sheffield teenager has emerged as a powerful champion for children with disabilities across Yorkshire, securing a prestigious honour at this year's Sheffield Youth Awards.
Turning Personal Adversity into Public Advocacy
Aroob Haroon, aged 15, claimed the Helping Others Award and was additionally named runner-up in the Culture and Heritage category. For any young person, this accomplishment would be significant, but for Aroob it represents an extraordinary victory over considerable challenges.
Aroob uses a wheelchair and lives with a rare genetic condition believed to affect fewer than 20 children throughout the UK. Her childhood has been dominated by intensive care admissions, major surgical procedures, emergency hospital visits, complex daily care regimens, and persistent pain. While other children enjoyed playgrounds, Aroob navigated hospital corridors.
Despite these hardships, those close to her describe Aroob as the young woman who continues to smile, inspire everyone she meets, and never allows her wheelchair to constrain her future aspirations.
A Brother's Legacy Fuelling Change
The year 2023 brought profound personal tragedy when Aroob lost her younger brother, Muhammad Ayaan Haroon, known as Ayaan. He was just five years old when he died at Sheffield Children's Hospital, with the family subsequently raising serious concerns about his care in the media.
Aroob witnessed her brother's health deteriorate and the ensuing heartbreak firsthand. Her family states that this devastating experience motivated her to campaign tirelessly, ensuring other vulnerable children are seen, heard, and properly protected.
Over the past year, Aroob has dedicated herself to advocacy and community work, achieving remarkable results:
- Raising thousands of pounds for Sheffield Children’s Hospital by leading their inaugural Ramadan fundraising campaign
- Increasing awareness of Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice within local Muslim communities
- Inspiring professional athletes, MPs, mayors, and community leaders with her personal story
- Receiving VIP invitations from some of Britain's largest sports clubs
- Becoming a visible role model for disabled children throughout the region
A Powerful Question on Representation
During the awards ceremony, Aroob used her platform to pose a critically important question from the stage: "Why are there only two children in wheelchairs here today?"
Out of more than 100 celebrated young people, only two were visibly disabled. Her inquiry directly addressed ongoing concerns regarding representation and accessibility at public events.
In the coming weeks, Aroob is scheduled to visit Parliament to discuss pressing issues affecting disabled children, focusing on:
- Representation in public life and media
- Barriers within education systems and community spaces
- Accessibility and equality measures
- The urgent need for compassionate policy-making
Her central message remains clear and unwavering: Children with disabilities deserve visibility, dignity, and the absolute certainty that they belong everywhere.
A Father's Immense Pride
Aroob's father, Haroon Rashid, has watched his daughter endure extreme physical suffering and overwhelming grief, yet consistently demonstrate remarkable resilience.
"Everything she does now - every award, every visit, every message - is done in memory of her little brother Ayaan," he said emotionally.
The family hopes that by sharing Aroob's journey, they can inspire other young people navigating life with disability, serious illness, or profound loss.
