16 September 2026

Middleton newsagent and customers choose Burnside Centre for £3,500 PayPoint donation

  • Ikram Vali, owner of Middleton News and PayPoint’s first Community Champion Award winner, has chosen Burnside Centre as the recipients of a £3,500 donation

  • After winning the award, Ikram asked his customers which local cause they wanted the community fund to support, with Burnside Centre the standout choice

  • The funding will help the charity continue providing opportunities, support and activities for children, families and residents across the community

Welwyn Garden City, 16 September 2026: PayPoint today announces that Ikram Vali, owner of Middleton News in Greater Manchester, has selected the Burnside Centre to receive a £3,500 of donation awarded to him as the first winner of PayPoint’s Community Champion Awards Programme.

PayPoint launched the Community Champion Awards Programme in June of 2026 to recognise retailers who go above and beyond for their local communities. Ikram was named its first winner earlier this summer, receiving the All-Rounder Award after more than 26 years serving local people through Middleton News.

The store has become a true community hub, combining busy parcel, ATM and banking services with its traditional bill payment and card processing offering, while remaining a convenient place for local people to shop and stock up. Upon receiving the award, Ikram spoke to customers about which local cause mattered most to them before making his decision. Burnside Centre emerged as the standout choice among his regulars, ensuring the award fund will support an organisation chosen by the community it serves.

Established in 1969, Burnside Centre is a registered charity and community facility in Langley, Middleton. Its services include early-years provision, health and wellbeing activities, advice and training, food and crisis support, and opportunities that bring local residents together.

I wanted the community fund to support a cause that really matters to the people who use our store, so I spoke to customers about where it should go. Burnside Centre was the standout choice among our regulars, and I’m delighted the £3,500 will help it continue the brilliant work it does for children, families and residents across our community.
Ikram Vali, owner of Middleton News
On behalf of everyone at Burnside Centre, I would like to thank PayPoint, Ikram Vali and the customers of Middleton News for this generous £3,500 donation. It means a great deal to know that local people chose to support our work. The funding will help us continue providing opportunities, support and activities for children, families, and residents across our community. We are extremely grateful for this investment and the confidence it shows in the work we do. Thank you so much!
Kerry Edwards, Burnside Centre Manager

The Community Champion Programme builds on PayPoint’s long standing partnerships with retailers across the UK and highlights those delivering strong performance while creating meaningful community impact. Future awards will recognise excellence across parcels, PayPoint I BankLocal and retailer improvement.

Share this article