Blackburn entrepreneur receives citizen's award

Ram Gupta, managing director of Blackburn-based Nybble IT, has been recognised at the Palace of Westminster with a prestigious British Citizen Award.

Ram was one of just 26 individuals to earn the award, which recognises exceptional people who positively impact their communities throughout the country.

The honours are open to anyone with an OBE, CBE or KBE and Ram received The British Citizen Award for Services to Education.

Ram has donated thousands of laptops, tablets and other IT equipment to the disadvantaged in the community, so that children and families have access to IT and education.

He also worked closely with the Blind Society and their programme called Jaws, whose mission is to teach blind children and adults how to use computers. He introduced virtual reality equipment to a hospice for patients with life-limiting illnesses to use, enabling patients to visit their dream destinations and experience adventures without leaving the room.

Ram also supports Nightsafe, a charity which supports the local homeless, sleeping rough on several occasions, organised auctions and donating funds. He has employed a number of resident homeless and put them onto apprenticeship schemes. 

Ram is a proud patron of Blackburn Youth Zone and supports local causes like the Cathedral, Rummage Rescuers and Secret Santa who provide facilities to the most underprivileged in society.

He is also a founding member of Community Foundation for Lancashire, an umbrella for charities to become self-sustaining. Ram is a founding member of the Saffron Group which delivers social value and encourages businesses to add social value to their activities.

The British Citizen Award was established in 2015 to recognise exceptional individuals who work tirelessly and selflessly to make a positive impact on their communities and society.