Latest news with #MakeADifference
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Devon Make a Difference Awards finalists announced
A&E doctors who take on cold water challenges, miniature Shetland ponies and artistic litter pickers are among the finalists in the 2025 BBC Radio Devon Make A Difference Awards. In their fourth year, the awards recognise and celebrate local people who make a positive contribution to communities across the county. The competition is made up of eight categories, with a total of 32 finalists, and this year's awards also recognise animals that make a difference and people working in animal welfare. Devon finalists include charities, community organisations and sports clubs, as well as energetic individuals committed to bringing people together, fundraising for good causes and caring for others. Awarded to an individual who makes a notable difference to their community by giving their time voluntarily to help others. Derrick Lawson – a volunteer who uses his life experience in and out of prison to help others Richard Allen - working with Budleigh Lions Club and Lions across the South West Zoe Allars – who runs the 729 Club for people with learning disabilities living in Honiton Trish Jones – supporting the memory cafe, and carers groups in Silverton Awarded to an individual or group of people who have used physical activity or sport as a way of improving the lives of those in their community. Phoenix Rising in Torbay – for using exercise to help transform the lives of women who have experienced domestic abuse The Pisces Club in Plymouth – for enabling disabled people to enjoy swimming Devon Deaf Rugby in Exeter – for bringing deaf and hearing-impaired players to the pitch The Groovement Project in Plymouth – an inclusive dance company for children and adults Awarded to an individual or group of people who make where live a better place by caring for the environment and nature. Vic Hibbert - for the YMCA Plymouth garden supplying fruit and vegetables for the food bank The Plympton Litter Pickers - for keeping their part of Plymouth clean and environmentally engaged Hannah Beaumont in Brixham - for recycling and upcycling what she finds on her Torbay litter picks and beach cleans Proper Job on Dartmoor - one of the first community reuse centres in the country More news stories for Devon Listen to the latest news for Devon Awarded to an individual or group of people who have gone the extra mile to raise funds for a good cause. The Oarsome Foursome - four girls under 10 running and kayaking for YMCA Exeter Adam Baker and Charlie Fleury - A&E doctors taking on cold water challenges for the Ocean Conservation Trust Jade Allen – for raising funds to enable her sister to have treatment for a rare brain tumour James Lake – for climbing Everest to support research into Huntingdon's disease Awarded to an animal that improves the life of an individual or group of people. Or a person or group of people working with animals to improve animal welfare. Digby – the Australian labradoodle therapy dog for the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Prickles in A Pickle – the Stoke Fleming hedgehog rescue, caring for over 1000 poorly or injured hedgehogs each year K9 Focus – the dog and cat rescue and rehoming charity in Barnstaple Munchkins Miniature Shetland Rescue – giving ponies long-term care and a homes Awarded to someone under 16 who has made a positive impact in their community or achieved something exceptional. Dan – a fundraiser, campaigner and radio presenter in Paignton helping other young people Georgina – coping with her own health to support her younger brother's complex needs Henry – who campaigns for families affected by cancer – and is training for the Paralympics Hugo – "the lemonade boy" who makes and selling drinks to raise funds for the Make A Wish Foundation Awarded to an individual who helps to make the neighbourhood a better place to live or work, either on a regular basis or through a single act of kindness. Vicki Owens in Lympstone – cooking Sunday lunches for ex-service and older people in her community Helen Jones in Willand – a parish councillor who started the food pantry in the village Abigail Daly in Plymouth – a student supporting students with learning disabilities Sue Nicholson - the inspiration for the Membury Mercury magazine and the Membury Merrymakers This award is supported by Morning Live, and awarded to a group of people who have helped to change the lives of others within their community The Benita Project in South Molton – serving meals and offering courses in cookery and budgeting Authoring Our Own Stories – a young people's group educating people about cultural identity The Youth Arts and Health Trust based in Exeter – supporting young people and families facing mental health challenges The Mid-Devon Messenger – a talking newspaper, keeping visually impaired people up to date with news, events and activities in their area Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ BBC awards to honour those who make a difference Winners of Make a Difference awards feel 'proud' BBC Make a Difference Awards
BBC News
02-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Devon Make a Difference Awards finalists announced
A&E doctors who take on cold water challenges, miniature Shetland ponies and artistic litter pickers are among the finalists in the 2025 BBC Radio Devon Make A Difference Awards. In their fourth year, the awards recognise and celebrate local people who make a positive contribution to communities across the competition is made up of eight categories, with a total of 32 finalists, and this year's awards also recognise animals that make a difference and people working in animal finalists include charities, community organisations and sports clubs, as well as energetic individuals committed to bringing people together, fundraising for good causes and caring for others. Volunteer Award Awarded to an individual who makes a notable difference to their community by giving their time voluntarily to help Lawson – a volunteer who uses his life experience in and out of prison to help othersRichard Allen - working with Budleigh Lions Club and Lions across the South WestZoe Allars – who runs the 729 Club for people with learning disabilities living in HonitonTrish Jones – supporting the memory cafe, and carers groups in Silverton Active Award Awarded to an individual or group of people who have used physical activity or sport as a way of improving the lives of those in their Rising in Torbay – for using exercise to help transform the lives of women who have experienced domestic abuseThe Pisces Club in Plymouth – for enabling disabled people to enjoy swimmingDevon Deaf Rugby in Exeter – for bringing deaf and hearing-impaired players to the pitchThe Groovement Project in Plymouth – an inclusive dance company for children and adults Green Award Awarded to an individual or group of people who make where live a better place by caring for the environment and Hibbert - for the YMCA Plymouth garden supplying fruit and vegetables for the food bankThe Plympton Litter Pickers - for keeping their part of Plymouth clean and environmentally engagedHannah Beaumont in Brixham - for recycling and upcycling what she finds on her Torbay litter picks and beach cleansProper Job on Dartmoor - one of the first community reuse centres in the country Fundraiser Award Awarded to an individual or group of people who have gone the extra mile to raise funds for a good Oarsome Foursome - four girls under 10 running and kayaking for YMCA ExeterAdam Baker and Charlie Fleury - A&E doctors taking on cold water challenges for the Ocean Conservation TrustJade Allen – for raising funds to enable her sister to have treatment for a rare brain tumourJames Lake – for climbing Everest to support research into Huntingdon's disease Animal Award Awarded to an animal that improves the life of an individual or group of people. Or a person or group of people working with animals to improve animal – the Australian labradoodle therapy dog for the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue ServicePrickles in A Pickle – the Stoke Fleming hedgehog rescue, caring for over 1000 poorly or injured hedgehogs each yearK9 Focus – the dog and cat rescue and rehoming charity in BarnstapleMunchkins Miniature Shetland Rescue – giving ponies long-term care and a homes Young Hero Award Awarded to someone under 16 who has made a positive impact in their community or achieved something – a fundraiser, campaigner and radio presenter in Paignton helping other young peopleGeorgina – coping with her own health to support her younger brother's complex needsHenry – who campaigns for families affected by cancer – and is training for the ParalympicsHugo – "the lemonade boy" who makes and selling drinks to raise funds for the Make A Wish Foundation Great Neighbour Award Awarded to an individual who helps to make the neighbourhood a better place to live or work, either on a regular basis or through a single act of Owens in Lympstone – cooking Sunday lunches for ex-service and older people in her communityHelen Jones in Willand – a parish councillor who started the food pantry in the villageAbigail Daly in Plymouth – a student supporting students with learning disabilitiesSue Nicholson - the inspiration for the Membury Mercury magazine and the Membury Merrymakers Community Award This award is supported by Morning Live, and awarded to a group of people who have helped to change the lives of others within their communityThe Benita Project in South Molton – serving meals and offering courses in cookery and budgetingAuthoring Our Own Stories – a young people's group educating people about cultural identityThe Youth Arts and Health Trust based in Exeter – supporting young people and families facing mental health challengesThe Mid-Devon Messenger – a talking newspaper, keeping visually impaired people up to date with news, events and activities in their area
BBC News
01-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Three-legged dog is posthumous Make A Difference Awards finalist
A therapy dog, who was a regular at a local library before passing away recently, is a finalist in the BBC Radio Suffolk Make a Difference the three-legged greyhound, worked as a therapy dog in Framlingham library where he was described as "a beacon of comfort and support" to young Peter Willis said: "He had the best, most fulfilling life a dog could have and made a difference to the lives of many children along the way."Charlie was selected by judges as one of four finalists for the Animal Award, along with Peter Merchant, who helps rehabilitate birds of prey, the online community group Finding Dogs in Ipswich and Gill Lewis who helps rehome unwanted pets. The Make a Difference Awards are run by BBC Local radio stations and started in Hill, who is visually impaired, volunteers for groups and mentors people. "The world needs more people like Grace," said her nomination for the Volunteer Arron and Chris Bailey are also finalists, having taken Santa out to visit children at their homes who were unable to go and see him elsewhere. They also make hampers for nurses and gifts for new mothers still in hospital at Tieck, who runs This is Ipswich social media accounts, was nominated for amplifying stories about metal health, food banks and community nomination said that "to know Sarah is to have someone believe in you, this is the energy that will save the world".Max Thomas, from the Ipswich Windrush Society, founded the reflection room in the Sailmakers shopping centre which is open all year. COMMUNITY AWARD: The Caribbean & African Community Health Support Forum, Future Female Society, Suffolk Refugee Support Sewing Group and Memory Lane Café.FUNDRAISER AWARD: Project 7, Pop Chorus, Maria Layton and John AWARD: Jackie Orbell, Deben Climate Centre, Edible Felixstowe and Saxmundham Community AWARD: Harrison Mayhew-Kemp, Mike McCarthy, Edgar Miller and Trudy NEIGHBOUR AWARD: Doreen Savage, Wendy Aiken, Joanne Stuckey and Rosemary HERO: Ozzy Rayner and Georgia Biggs. Interviews with each finalist will be broadcast on BBC Radio Suffolk over the summer, with the winners announced at a ceremony at Trinity Park on 17 September. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Royal garden party 'surreal' for Lincolnshire award winners
A group of people from Lincolnshire have been honoured for their contributions to the local community during a garden party at Buckingham Palace. The BBC Radio Lincolnshire Make A Difference 2024 winners joined the Prince and Princess of Wales for the celebration on Sellars, from Lincoln, who won the bravery award for highlighting life with inflammatory bowel disease, was among some 7,500 guests who described being invited to the traditional ceremony as a "surreal moment". Ms Sellars was a teenager when she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease which in her case required surgery."It's probably the biggest up I've had. When you've been laying in a hospital bed thinking 'I'm never going to make it out', then to be standing outside of Buckingham Palace. It's amazing," she said. Ms Sellars was joined by her mum and other Make A Difference award-winners Stuart Wills, Liz Quiney, and Lisa Dean. Mr Wills, who set up Bourne Bike Donations and Recycle, attended the ceremony with his partner Karen and said the invitation was "unexpected".He won the BBC Radio Lincolnshire's Make A Difference green award for taking old unwanted bicycles, repairing them and giving them for free to people in the south Lincolnshire town."It is a massive event and something that I've never been a part of before. "It's going to be certainly one that we are going to be talking about for a long time to come," he said. Liz Quiney, from Gypsy Bridge near Boston, received her invite while eating her dinner and thought it was a Quiney won the great neighbour award for helping make her neighbourhood a better place to live or work. "I've never won anything," she said. "I never thought I would do that would require an award for it."Speaking to BBC Radio Lincolnshire breakfast presenter Scott Dalton before the party, Ms Quiney said: "I'm so excited. I think I might burn out. This is literally a once in a lifetime experience." There are usually three royal garden parties each year, with two at Buckingham Palace and one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in outdoor gathering on Tuesday afternoon was hosted by the Prince of Wales on behalf of his father, the was joined by his wife, the Princess of Wales, who made a return to Royal garden parties by attending her first one in two at the event were William's cousins, Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
BBC News
28-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Sally Gunnell announced as judge for BBC Make a Difference Awards
Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell is set to be a judge for the BBC Make a Difference Awards (MADA). The ex-track and field athlete, who lives near Brighton, will help choose the winner of the new active category, awarded to individuals or groups who have used sport or physical activity to improve the lives of others in the the winner "is going to be very tricky," she told BBC Radio Sussex. "But I want to see somebody that's doing that little bit extra for somebody else." Ms Gunnell, who set a world record in the woman's 400m hurdles in 1993, said there were "so many different options" judges wanted to hear about. She suggested nominees could be helping communities through sport, keeping people active, or anyone who has done "something incredible" like raising money for charity through physical is "everything for our health", Ms Gunnell added, highlighting its positive social and mental effects. "It's so important." MADA is a BBC initiative to honour community champions across eight different categories. To nominate someone go to the Make A Difference site, with nominations closing at 17:00 BST on 31 March.
