Sheffield Teen Raises £100,000 in Memory of Brother and Takes Campaign for Disabled Children to Westminster

Award-winning young fundraiser and advocate Aroob Haroon to visit Westminster, ambassadors and national media as her campaign expands across the UK

A remarkable Sheffield teenager who has helped raise more than £100,000 in the last year alone in memory of her younger brother is set to visit London next week for a series of high-profile meetings with politicians, ambassadors, healthcare leaders and national media.

placeholder image — Aroob Haroon | Haroon Rashid

Aroob Haroon, who lives with a rare genetic condition herself, has become one of the UK's most inspiring young advocates for children with complex medical needs following the death of her beloved brother, Ayaan Haroon, who also lived with a rare condition.

Behind Aroob's achievements lies a story of profound personal loss, trauma and resilience.

Her younger brother Ayaan, who also lived with a rare genetic condition, passed away following a devastating period for the family. An independent investigation later found that aspects of Ayaan's care, the family's experience and the child death process did not meet the standards expected by the Trust or national standards. The review identified significant shortcomings across multiple areas, including family engagement, bereavement support, communication and aspects of the child death process.

For Aroob and her family, the experience was life-changing.

While many young people would understandably have been overwhelmed by grief, Aroob chose a different path. Determined that Ayaan's life would leave a lasting legacy, she transformed her heartbreak into action. Every campaign she leads, every pound she raises and every platform she uses is driven by a commitment to honour her brother's memory and improve the lives of children and families facing similar challenges.

Those closest to Aroob say her achievements are remarkable not simply because of the money she has raised or the recognition she has received, but because she has carried unimaginable pain while dedicating herself to helping others. Her journey has become a powerful example of how adversity can be transformed into hope, purpose and positive change.

During her three-day visit to London, Aroob will meet a number of senior public figures and decision-makers, including Minister Torsten Bell, Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum, and the Pakistani and Palestinian Ambassadors. She will also visit Sky News Studios, where she will meet presenters and learn more about national broadcasting.

As part of the visit, Aroob will tour two of the country's most renowned healthcare centres, Great Ormond Street Hospital and The Royal London Hospital, where she hopes to continue raising awareness of the challenges faced by children living with rare and life-limiting conditions.

The visit follows a series of extraordinary achievements that have seen Aroob gain recognition across the United Kingdom. Just weeks ago, she was invited to meet Scotland's First Minister John Swinney and members of the Scotland National Football Team, recognising her growing impact as a young ambassador for children and families affected by serious illness.

At the heart of Aroob's mission is the groundbreaking Moon and Stars Campaign, she supported and led in memory of Ayaan.

Since losing her younger brother, Aroob has dedicated herself to ensuring his memory continues to make a positive difference in the lives of others. In the last year alone, she has helped raise more than £100,000 for children's hospitals, healthcare initiatives and charitable causes supporting seriously ill children and their families.

Working alongside Sheffield Children's Hospital, Aroob helped create and lead the Moon and Stars Ramadan initiative, bringing communities together while supporting children and families receiving specialist care.

The campaign raised £20,000 in 2025, followed by £45,000 in 2026, creating a lasting legacy in Ayaan's memory while providing vital support for children's healthcare services.

What began as a local fundraising campaign has now evolved into a national movement. Aroob is working to take the Moon and Stars Campaign to children's hospitals across the UK and has recently become an ambassador for the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, helping to inspire similar initiatives in other regions.

However, fundraising is only part of Aroob's mission.

She has become a passionate advocate for disabled children across the UK, using her growing platform to challenge inequalities and champion greater opportunities for young people living with disabilities and complex medical conditions.

Aroob is asking why disabled children are often excluded from experiences many able-bodied children take for granted. She believes disabled children deserve the same opportunities to participate in sport, be recognised for their achievements and feel celebrated within their communities.

One of her ambitions is to see greater access to football, cricket and rugby in SEND schools across the country. She believes sport can transform confidence, improve wellbeing and help children realise their potential regardless of disability.

Aroob wants every disabled child to know that they matter, that they belong and that they can dream just as big as any other child.

Despite facing daily health challenges of her own, Aroob has dedicated herself to supporting others, becoming a powerful voice for children with rare conditions and their families.

In recognition of her exceptional contribution to society, Aroob will receive a High Sheriff Award on 28 June 2026, honouring her extraordinary efforts to transform personal grief into a force for positive change that has inspired people across the country.

Aroob's story is one of resilience, compassion and determination. Following the heartbreaking loss of her younger brother, she chose not to let grief define her future. Instead, she turned her pain into purpose, creating opportunities for children and families across the country and ensuring Ayaan's memory continues to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Speaking about her mission, Aroob said: "Ayaan will always be my inspiration. Everything I do is to make sure his memory lives on by helping other children and families. The Moon and Stars Campaign is about bringing communities together, creating hope and making a difference for children who need support.

“But I also want disabled children to know they can dream big. We deserve the same opportunities to play sport, to be recognised, to be celebrated and to believe in ourselves. Disability should never stop a child from believing they can achieve something special."

As her campaign continues to expand nationally, Aroob hopes to encourage hospitals, charities, sporting organisations, businesses, community groups and public leaders to work together in supporting children living with serious illnesses and disabilities.

Her upcoming London visit marks another significant milestone in a journey that has already touched thousands of lives and demonstrates how one young person can create meaningful change despite facing significant personal challenges of her own.

Those closest to Aroob say her greatest achievement is not simply the money she has raised, but her ability to transform heartbreak into hope, ensuring that Ayaan's legacy continues to inspire and support families across the country.