FOUR inspirational people have been recognised for their incredible humanitarian efforts in a prestigious award dedicated to Robert Burns.

The prestigious award recognises courage, commitment, inspiration and hands-on humanitarian efforts from people of any nationality, race, age or gender.

Dr Izzeldein Abuelaish, Josh Littlejohn MBE, actor David Hayman and his colleague Partrick Rolink have all been shortlisted as finalists for the RBHA.

Dr Izzeldein Abuelaish also known as the ‘Martin Luther King of the Middle East’ is a Palestinian medical doctor who has spent years promoting Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation, despite Israeli forces killing his three daughters and their cousin. He views doctors as moral peacekeepers with a unique opportunity to bridge divides. In 2010 he wrote the book ‘I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor’s Journey’ which has become an international best-seller.

Dr Abuelaish said: “I am honoured and inspired by the nomination and selection as a finalist for the RBHA. There are commonalities in life experiences that I share with Rabbie; where he grew up in poverty, hardship and struggled to survive. In spite of all of these challenges he was neither broken nor defeated.”

Josh Littlejohn MBE is the co-founder of Social Bite - a chain of sandwich and coffee shops that donate all their profits to help good causes.

Each year, the Social Bite shops give more than 140,000 free items of healthy food to vulnerable people. Josh also set up the Social Bite Fund which has helped provide accommodation to people affected by homelessness. In 2016, he received an MBE for services to social enterprise and entrepreneurship in Scotland.

Josh said: “To be recognised for a humanitarian award for my work in tackling homelessness in the name of our national icon Robert Burns is a real honour.”

Scottish actor David Hayman has helped vulnerable young people and children who are suffering within a humanitarian crisis or blighted by war.

His charity Spirit Aid was set up in 2001 and in 2005 he was joined by comedian and after dinner speaker Patrick Rolink, who is now a director of the organisation.

David said: “I am absolutely thrilled to bits to be nominated for this award and particularly pleased that Patrick has also been nominated, he fully deserves it.

“I am a great lover of the works of Rabbie and have made two films on his life so it’s a very special feeling to have his name on an award that I am shortlisted for.”

Patrick said: “We are humbled to be nominated for such a prestigious award that has such credibility and substance.

“Through his incredible talent and passion for life, Robert Burns has shone a light on Scotland and its people.

“This award also shines a light on our wonderful caring and proactive nation where so many strive to create a fairer and just society in a natural and instinctive way.”

Douglas Campbell, Chair of the RBHA judging panel, and Leader of South Ayrshire Council, said: “This year’s finalists stand out from the crowd as they are helping to transform so many lives in this country and beyond.”

“We now have four outstanding individuals who epitomise the word ‘humanitarian’, and I am sure Robert Burns would be proud of their efforts.”

The winner of the Robert Burns Humanitarian Award will be announced at the awards ceremony on Wednesday 22 January 2020, at Burns Cottage.

As well as the RBHA 2020 title, winners receive the equivalent of 1759 guineas (approximately £1,800) – a sum which signifies the year of the Bard’s birth and the coinage in circulation at that time.