Pride of Britain award for Wolves fan who sells samosas at Molineux

Manny Singh Kang said he was lost for words after winning the national ITV fundraiser of the year at the popular ceremony.

His award comes after years of incredible fundraising efforts for Dementia UK, including having sold nearly 60,000 samosas outside Molineux stadium.

He said: “I was speechless. I’m usually a good talker, but that was a bonkers moment.

“It’s vindication that what I’m doing is the correct path and it’s raised a huge amount of awareness for Dementia UK overnight.”

“The name of Dementia UK is suddenly on the lips of sportspeople, actors and celebrities - that’s huge.

“I’m looking forward to watching it back, because it was a blur.

Mr Singh Kang has been a lifelong Wolves fan and celebrated his win with former captain, Conor Coady (Image: Manny Singh Kang)

“For the public, there’s probably no bigger award out there. This is like the Oscars for the public. It’s iconic.

“I had Jim Broadbent present me with my award. I kept thinking, ‘he’s in Harry Potter, what’s he doing here giving me this!’

“I said to my wife, I only sell samosas, what am I supposed to say? It was surreal.”

What began as a family plan to sell samosas on Saturdays has become a fundraising empire, raising nearly £300,000 in six years.

The 51-year-old, who is a lifelong fan of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, said: “We didn’t fancy shaking buckets. It was about giving something back.

“We cooked the samosas at home, with lots of hard work from my family and friends and it’s been euphoric ever since.”

“Here we are six years later, with 25 volunteers about to do our 22nd Samosa Saturday.

“The Wolves community are second-to-none. Without them, none of this would be possible.”

Mr Singh Kang has smashed his initial target of raising £5,000 and has no plans on slowing down his fundraising ambitions.

His journey to national recognition started with a samosa (Image: Manny Singh Kang)

He said: “I’m just Manny, born and bred in Wolverhampton. I’m not a charity. I’m not an organisation.

“It just goes to show that as human beings, there is nothing we can’t do.”

 “I just encourage people to always help and be there for others, and fundraising is a vehicle we can use to do that.”

Samosa Saturdays have become a local sensation, with stars such as Beverly Knight, Conor Coady and Ruben Neves supporting the initiative over the years.

Mr Singh Kang has no personal connection to Dementia UK, citing his Sikh faith as a key driver. 

The father of three said: “I’m proud of my background and the teachings that are in my life. Part of those teachings are to help others.

“After coming across their website, I just thought Dementia UK was a charity well worth helping.

“What’s the difference between an old person who’s a stranger and my dad? They’re still somebody who needs help, and if you can help then you should."

Since his inaugural Samosa Saturday, Mr Singh Kang has gone on to run the London Marathon four times, along with completing many other “mammoth” physical challenges, his favourite of which has been his recent 48-hour non-stop walk around the Molineux.

Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant is just one of many famous faces who has supported Mr Singh Kang (Image: Manny Singh Kang)

Mr Singh Kang, who works for Network Rail, added: “I want to thank each and every person who has supported me. Not just the people who turn up to help, or the people who have donated, but the also people who just say well done”

“I hope it inspires the next generation of fundraisers.”

The awards will be broadcast on ITV tonight (October 24).