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Make a Difference Awards Winners 2025
The awards are a chance to say “Thank You” and show recognition and appreciation for people who love to make life better for others.
Nominations came in from all across the UK and winners were selected from a panel of judges.
Awards were given in each category, across each ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ radio station with ceremonies of celebration taking place across the UK from September 2025.
We've listed the award winners below:
Click on the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ radio station nearest to you for more information
Berkshire
- The Volunteer Award: Stephanie Minici
- The Community Group Award: The Engine Shed
- The Fundraiser Award: Sandra Jeff
- The Young Hero Award: Jimmy Cragg
- The Great Neighbour Award: Kathy Walshe
- The Active Award: Sport Together Berkshire
- The Green Award: The Eco Skills Learning Centre
- The Animal Award: Berkshire Birds Of Prey
Bristol
- The Volunteer Award: Hayley Ryall
- The Community Group Award: Donate for Defib WSM
- The Fundraiser Award: Sandra Davies
- The Young Hero Award: Cameron Mills
- The Great Neighbour Award: James Murden
- The Active Award: Colin Johnson
- The Green Award: Luke Cooper
- The Animal Award: Bella
Cambridgeshire
- The Volunteer Award: Caroline Deeprose
- The Community Group Award: Cherry Hinton Benefit Society
- The Fundraiser Award: Sue & Pete Woolfitt
- The Young Hero Award: Saphia Turner
- The Great Neighbour Award: Deanne Weise
- The Active Award: Cam Skate
- The Green Award: Linton Friends of the River Granta
- The Animal Award: Spot
Cornwall
- The Volunteer Award: Rachel Lijia Ashcroft
- The Community Group Award: The Sparkle Foundation UK
- The Fundraiser Award: Sarah & Craig Pollard
- The Young Hero Award: Kayleigh Taylor
- The Great Neighbour Award: Richard Northey
- The Active Award: Cornwall Super 9's
- The Green Award: Vivian Stratton
- The Animal Award: Maxine Young
CWR (Coventry and Warwickshire)
- The Volunteer Award: Mavis Winterburn
- The Community Group Award: Binley Woods and Wolston Youth Clubs
- The Fundraiser Award: Martin Brandreth
- The Young Hero Award: Akhil Akella
- The Great Neighbour Award: David Monks
- The Active Award: Kevin Taylor
- The Green Award: Kate Haines and Kath Pasteur
- The Animal Award: Valerie and Rosie
Cumbria
- The Volunteer Award: Kayleigh Graveson
- The Community Group Award: Cockermouth Linking Lives
- The Fundraiser Award: David Aris
- The Young Hero Award: Harry Little
- The Great Neighbour Award: Gareth and Jacqueline Cameron
- The Active Award: Smile for Miley
- The Green Award: Wigton Wombles
- The Animal Award: Morag
Derby
- The Volunteer Award: Mark Vallis
- The Community Group Award: Jericho House
- The Fundraiser Award: Harry Johnson
- The Young Hero Award: Esme Wainwright
- The Great Neighbour Award: Michelle Smith
- The Active Award: SEN-Fit
- The Green Award: The Derby Parks Volunteers
- The Animal Award: Orla the Goldendoodle
Devon
- The Volunteer Award: Derrick Lawson
- The Community Group Award: The Benita Project
- The Fundraiser Award: Jade Allen
- The Young Hero Award: Dan Boosey
- The Great Neighbour Award: Abigail Daly
- The Active Award: Plymouth Pisces Swimming Club
- The Green Award: Vic Hibbert
- The Animal Award: Digby
Essex
- The Volunteer Award: George Duke
- The Community Group Award: Underdog Crew
- The Fundraiser Award: Rhys and Cai Atkinson
- The Young Hero Award: Daisy-Mae Mead
- The Great Neighbour Award: Mark & Jane Harvey
- The Active Award: Dave Chase
- The Green Award: Eco Essex - Rehome, Reuse, Repurpose
- The Animal Award: Kelly Butler
Gloucestershire
- The Volunteer Award: Bryan Higgs
- The Community Group Award: P.E.A.K
- The Fundraiser Award: Linda Jackson
- The Young Hero Award: Ed Simpson
- The Great Neighbour Award: Jean Levy
- The Active Award: BEAM gymnastics
- The Green Award: National Star college
- The Animal Award: Rafa & Steve
Guernsey
Overall Winner: Poppy Murray
Hereford & Worcester
- The Volunteer Award: Phil Lacey
- The Community Group Award: Friends of Tolladine
- The Fundraiser Award: Gill Punt
- The Young Hero Award: Isaac Winfield
- The Great Neighbour Award: Angela Gray
- The Active Award: Nigel Watson
- The Green Award: John Hawley
- The Animal Award: Trevor the Dog
Humberside
- The Volunteer Award: Pam Trays
- The Community Group Award: Creative Start Arts In Health CIC
- The Fundraiser Award: Katy Smith
- The Young Hero Award: Emily Andrews
- The Great Neighbour Award: Eileen Harland
- The Active Award: Jim Dunn
- The Green Award: Martin King
- The Animal Award: Kate Coulam
Jersey
Overall Winner: Genette Dagtoglou
Kent
- The Volunteer Award: Anthony Grove
- The Community Group Award: Mama to Mama
- The Fundraiser Award: Steve Wolfe
- The Young Hero Award: Iona Winnifrith
- The Great Neighbour Award: Matt Lane
- The Active Award: TW Flyerz
- The Green Award: George Cooper
- The Animal Award: Jo Hogbin
Lancashire
- The Volunteer Award: Neil Fuller
- The Community Group Award: Stations of Welcome
- The Fundraiser Award: Jon Nichol
- The Young Hero Award: Kitty Gape
- The Great Neighbour Award: Amanda Adams
- The Active Award: Old Knackers FC
- The Green Award: The Fairfield Association
- The Animal Award: Teresa Kirszanek and Bertie
Leeds
- The Volunteer Award: Celia Moorhouse
- The Community Group Award: The Wren Bakery
- The Fundraiser Award: Barry Newman
- The Young Hero Award: Mariyam Mushtaq
- The Great Neighbour Award: Jasmine Cornthwaite
- The Active Award: Errol Hamlet
- The Green Award: The Calder Conservation Group CIC
- The Animal Award: Millington’s Magical Barn
Leicester
- The Volunteer Award: Emiola Lanlehin
- The Community Group Award: Crown Hills Care ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Volunteers
- The Fundraiser Award: Alice Greaves
- The Young Hero Award: Caitlin Fagan
- The Great Neighbour Award: Joanne Alexander
- The Active Award: The Leg up Project
- The Green Award: Bob Lee
- The Animal Award: Billy
Lincolnshire
- The Volunteer Award: Claire Mansey
- The Community Group Award: The Centre for Reconciliation
- The Fundraiser Award: Tina Rowe
- The Young Hero Award: Summer Willetts
- The Great Neighbour Award: David Herbert
- The Active Award: Carl & Gemma Larder
- The Green Award: Sutton on Sea Beachcare
- The Animal Award: Jo
London
- The Volunteer Award: Jack Percival
- The Community Group Award: Jessop Primary School Dads Kids Club
- The Fundraiser Award: Supporting Humanity Charity
- The Young Hero Award: Raphael Chiwandire
- The Great Neighbour Award: Patience Ndebele-Omijie
- The Active Award: Streetz Ahead
- The Green Award: Deborah O'Sullivan
- The Animal Award: Babs and Molly
Manchester
- The Volunteer Award: Karen Elliott
- The Community Group Award: Platt Bridge Community Centre
- The Fundraiser Award: Team Wigan and Leigh
- The Young Hero Award: Maya Tohid
- The Great Neighbour Award: Margaret Lloyd
- The Active Award: Ellia Rhodes
- The Green Award: Easy Come Easy Grow
- The Animal Award: Archie and Linda
Merseyside
- The Volunteer Award: Tim Taylor
- The Community Group Award: Sean's Place
- The Fundraiser Award: Mel Kelly
- The Young Hero Award: Archie Blair
- The Great Neighbour Award: Kath Brown
- The Active Award: Tommy O'Connor
- The Green Award: Zero Fashion CIC
- The Animal Award: One Eyed Jack
Norfolk
- The Volunteer Award: Oksana Hrytsenko
- The Community Group Award: The Women’s Project, Emmaus
- The Fundraiser Award: Jayne Biggs
- The Young Hero Award: Mateo Skinner-Pelaz
- The Great Neighbour Award: Angela French
- The Active Award: Lauren Rackham
- The Green Award: Amaya Edwards
- The Animal Award: Lexi Nicol
North East
- The Volunteer Award: Janine Turnbull
- The Community Group Award: Gilesgate and Belmont Wellbeing Project
- The Fundraiser Award: Irene Sim
- The Young Hero Award: Amelia Foulkes - Jones
- The Great Neighbour Award: Ashley Timms
- The Active Award: Frank Bagley
- The Green Award: Rebecca Swindells
- The Animal Award: Lynne Ebdale
Northampton
- The Volunteer Award: Paul Hardwick
- The Community Group Award: Northampton Volunteer Car Scheme
- The Fundraiser Award: Chris O’Reilly
- The Young Hero Award: Michal Wojcik
- The Active Award: Trish Caswell
- The Green Award: Sandra Robinson
- The Animal Award: Roy Marriott
Nottingham
- The Volunteer Award: Lisa Fox
- The Community Group Award: Serenity Garden
- The Fundraiser Award: Jane Beardsley
- The Young Hero Award: Lottie Turner
- The Great Neighbour Award: Amy Jeffrey
- The Active Award: Neil Huntley
- The Green Award: Rhubarb Farm
- The Animal Award: Barney
Oxford
- The Volunteer Award: Don Ferris
- The Community Group Award: Gem Barrett - Nai's House
- The Fundraiser Award: Hollie Benson and team
- The Young Hero Award: Sylvie Moreau
- The Great Neighbour Award: Margo Evans
- The Active Award: Janette Cardy
- The Green Award: Richard Snow
- The Animal Award: Monty the Dog
Sheffield
- The Volunteer Award: Nicola Woodhouse
- The Community Group Award: Unity Gym
- The Fundraiser Award: Lorna Ford
- The Young Hero Award: Edward Rotherforth
- The Great Neighbour Award: Claire Lou Robinson
- The Active Award: John E Ward
- The Green Award: W, WM & B Litter Pickers
- The Animal Award: Janet and Peter Dyson
Shropshire
- The Volunteer Award: Victoria Vespa
- The Community Group Award: Men Walking and Talking, Telford
- The Fundraiser Award: Mark Fielden
- The Young Hero Award: Harry Maceachen
- The Great Neighbour Award: Jaswant Singh
- The Active Award: Brightstar Boxing
- The Green Award: Shrewsbury Repair Cafe
- The Animal Award: Rachel Rodgers and Rico
Solent
- The Volunteer Award: Karen Hamilton
- The Community Group Award: Enable Ability
- The Fundraiser Award: Caroline Mousdale
- The Young Hero Award: Emberly Heppenstall
- The Great Neighbour Award: Melody Willers
- The Active Award: Kim Purkis
- The Green Award: Friends of Bartley Park
- The Animal Award: Emily Bentham
Somerset
- The Volunteer Award: Matthew Davies
- The Community Group Award: Love Glastonbury
- The Fundraiser Award: Elisha Turner
- The Young Hero Award: Cameron Manning
- The Great Neighbour Award: Hilary Foster
- The Active Award: Brian Barker
- The Green Award: Cary Repair Cafe
- The Animal Award: Katie Fox
Stoke
- The Volunteer Award: Max Thomas
- The Community Group Award: CACHSF
- The Fundraiser Award: Project Seven
- The Young Hero Award: Ozzy Rayner
- The Great Neighbour Award: Rosie Burrows
- The Active Award: Mike McCarthy
- The Green Award: Jackie Orbell
- The Animal Award: Peter Merchant
Suffolk
- The Volunteer Award: Max Thomas
- The Community Group Award: CACHSF
- The Fundraiser Award: Project Seven
- The Young Hero Award: Ozzy Rayner
- The Great Neighbour Award: Rosie Burrows
- The Active Award: Mike McCarthy
- The Green Award: Jackie Orbell
- The Animal Award: Peter Merchant
Surrey
- The Volunteer Award: Terri Collins
- The Community Group Award: Selsey Buddy Support
- The Fundraiser Award: John McCutchan
- The Young Hero Award: Dexter Coyne
- The Great Neighbour Award: Gordon and Sylvia Price
- The Active Award: James Cooper
- The Green Award: Regena Coult
- The Animal Award: Simon Wild
Sussex
- The Volunteer Award: Terri Collins
- The Community Group Award: Selsey Buddy Support
- The Fundraiser Award: John McCutchan
- The Young Hero Award: Dexter Coyne
- The Great Neighbour Award: Gordon and Sylvia Price
- The Active Award: James Cooper
- The Green Award: Regena Coult
- The Animal Award: Simon Wild
Tees
- The Volunteer Award: Robbie Maiden
- The Community Group Award: Salaam Community Centre
- The Fundraiser Award: Laura Clark
- The Young Hero Award: Lyla
- The Great Neighbour Award: Charlotte Leak
- The Active Award: Connor Rumney
- The Green Award: Pete Smith
- The Animal Award: Here4Horses
Three Counties Radio (Beds, Herts and Bucks)
- The Volunteer Award: Jan Hale
- The Community Group Award: Forget-Me-Not Dementia Volunteer Service
- The Fundraiser Award: Sandra Jeffs
- The Young Hero Award: Lexie Trim
- The Great Neighbour Award: Joan Sykes
- The Active Award: Jade Cook
- The Green Award: Richard Walker
- The Animal Award: Jenna Jones
Wiltshire
- The Volunteer Award: Sarah Pender
- The Community Group Award: BEST-Be a Better You
- The Fundraiser Award: Trevor Goodall
- The Young Hero Award: Fletcher Gale
- The Great Neighbour Award: Sue MacKinder
- The Active Award: Jane Sims
- The Green Award: Anna Forbes
- The Animal Award: WAGS Retired Police Dogs
WM (West Midlands)
- The Volunteer Award: Pamela Smith
- The Community Group Award: Better Way Recovery
- The Fundraiser Award: Joshua Hoskins
- The Young Hero Award: Frazer Tibbitts
- The Great Neighbour Award: Sabrina Ffrench
- The Active Award: Neo Sports
- The Green Award: Ruth Meredith
- The Animal Award: Ray Dedicoat
York
- The Volunteer Award: Rachael Wilson
- The Community Group Award: Chocolate & Co
- The Fundraiser Award: Zak Raynor
- The Young Hero Award: Mateo Robayna
- The Great Neighbour Award: Jean Illingworth
- The Active Award: Matthew Brough
- The Green Award: Janet Willoner
- The Animal Award: Gill Booth and Jasper
Nations
Radio nan GÃ idheal
Overall Winner: Seonag NicAnndrais
Radio Scotland
- The Volunteer Award: Liza Quin
- The Community Group Award: Baby Loss Retreat
- The Fundraiser Award: Pauline Moriarty
- The Young Hero Award: Arianna Corrieri
- The Great Neighbour Award: Jane Finnie
- The Active Award: Jo Holland
- The Green Award: New Start Highland Gardens
- The Animal Award: Rannoch and Agnes Allan
Radio Ulster
- The Volunteer Award: Lucy McMullan
- The Community Group Award: Support 2gether
- The Fundraiser Award: Des Keenan
- The Young Hero Award: Seanain McCallion
- The Great Neighbour Award: Bridie McCullagh
- The Active Award: Jennifer Smyth
- The Green Award: Aimee Mallon
- The Animal Award: Pluto
Radio Wales/Cymru
- The Volunteer Award: Shani Stephens
- The Community Group Award: Maes-G ShowZone
- The Fundraiser Award: Emma Rees & Katy Yeandle
- The Young Hero Award: Skye Neville
- The Great Neighbour Award: Sharon Beck (SHAZ)
- The Active Award: Robin Jones, Farm Fit Club
- The Green Award: Martin Draper, On the Verge
- The Animal Award: Sion Telor