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your brain and body to respond instantly.”

I then asked Saeed about his inspiration for Wrestle for Humanity. He explained that it is rooted in the definition of what it means to be a pahlevan wrestler.

He said: “Growing up, I saw my dad helping people a lot, I saw the love as he helped people. He sat and listened to people whilst playing backgammon with them. He would then without judging them, would take action to their problem relating the solution to the persons social values and I saw love in that.

"The birth of Wrestle for Humanity I believe, comes from those seeds of value that was installed in me. I value helping people, I value kindness, I value compassion. That’s what Wrestling for Humanity means, to get people back on the track of life. We all deserve it. And, if something extremely bad has happened in your life, turn it into something positive and show other people how not to make those mistakes because they can learn from your mistakes.”

Almost four years after founding Wrestle for Humanity, the work Saeed began has gained recognition across the world. This recognition has not only led to successful fundraisers for local residents, but has associated the project with international athletes such as Anthony Robles and will feature in an upcoming Hollywood movie on the one legged wrestler’s life story.

“I had a five-year plan,” said Saeed

“I wanted to establish what we are, and do lots of events that are related to long term goals like working with Anthony Robles. At first nobody could understand why it was important for us to work with him. He was born with one hip and nobody wanted him in their class. But it was his perseverance that got him through, the key aspect for wrestling, perseverance.

"I also worked with David Wellington, a man with no legs and no fingers. He had had two strokes and was hospitalised for eleven months. Working with him has been a great honour and was fundamental in putting together our disability classes Wrestling for anyBODY.” l l l l

From my own observations, Saeed approaches the teaching of wrestling as if it is the teaching of movement and rhythm. This is, as he explains, accomplished through play and the enjoyment of movement. This is something he feels that is lost through traditional teaching when preparing someone for athletic competition.

Saeed continued: “At a Wrestle For Humanity seminar I put David on the mat against Olympic gold medallist Kenny Monday.

"I wanted people to see that the beauty of David was not in the appearance of his body but in his strength. At first people did not believe that we could do this, they did not believe in David. But now the new classes are being formed and structuring is taking place in both financing and sustainability. I am not for it getting too big, but I want it to empower everybody.”

Wrestling classes take place at St. Gregory the Great. Wrestling inside a church may seem to be a little irregular. I asked Saeed how he and the church became connected.

He said: “The short answer to that question is my partner Claire. She brought me and Father James together and we moved in after covid. Father James was fantastic and his last words to me before he left were ‘Saeed, you are changing lives here.’ I am grateful to him.”

And what of the local community, how involved is Saeed with his neighbours?

“We want to appeal to everyone locally. Currently people are coming for classes from all over the city, but we would love it if more local people came to join in. We are reaching out to local schools so we can put on workshops for the pupils. We would also like to connect with any employers in Filton who would like to expand their community outreach and social responsibilities," he said.

As our meeting came to a close, Saeed received an email from the Prime Minister’s Office. Unsure if the email was genuine, Saeed asked me to read it through and indeed the email was legitimate, informing him that he was to receive the Prime Minister's Point of Light award.

After recomposing himself, Saeed had this to say: “I am absolutely shocked! I guess I do not think that much of my work, but it isn’t that the point? Living through kindness and having an impact on other people’s lives. To be recognised for that, is truly amazing!”

Read more: www. pointsoflight.gov.uk/wrestle-forhumanity/

Saeed at St Gregory the Great, above and above left. Below, Saeed with his father in the 1990s

A property just over the Bristol border from Filton, which has been the site of anti-social behaviour, drug dealing, assaults and public order offences, has been closed by a court order.

Bristol Magistrates Court has granted a three-month closure order of a property in Eliot Close, next to Cropthorne Road and