Make a Difference Awards Winners 2026

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 BBC radio station with ceremonies of celebration taking place across the UK from September 2026.

We've listed the award winners below:

Berkshire

The Active Award: Stephen Kelly
The Animal Award: Wyfold RDA
The Community Group Award: The Abbey School Refugee Homework Club
The Fundraiser Award: Team Charlie
The Great Neighbour Award: Debbie Green
The Environmental Award: Nature Nurture
The Volunteer Award: Grace Gomez
The Young Hero Award: Hudson Willmot

Bristol

The Active Award: Athena Combat Club
The Animal Award: Eddie
The Community Group Award: Operation Community Hamper
The Fundraiser Award: The Sam Polledri Foundation
The Great Neighbour Award: Michael Heale
The Environmental Award: Natalie Donbavand
The Volunteer Award: Shanine Wright
The Young Hero Award: Lyla Lena Lwantale-Mulondo

Cambridgeshire

The Active Award: Women’s Aid Charity Football Group
The Animal Award: Nick Pugh
The Community Group Award: Butterfly Legacy Project
The Fundraiser Award: Pearl's Puzzle Library
The Great Neighbour Award: Bernadetta Omondi
The Environmental Award: Project Abundance CIC
The Volunteer Award: Jonathan Rippon
The Young Hero Award: Hugo Jaffray

Cornwall

The Active Award: Asgard Cornwall
The Animal Award: Prickles and Paws Hedgehog Rescue
The Community Group Award: Queer Kernow
The Fundraiser Award: The Noah Jordan Foundation
The Great Neighbour Award: Penny Platts
The Environmental Award: Lanjeth Nursery & Water Gardens CIC
The Volunteer Award: Cathy Carter
The Young Hero Award: Orkney Reid

CWR (Coventry and Warwickshire)

The Active Award: Ronald Harkness
The Animal Award: Winnie
The Community Group Award: Aspire and Thrive
The Fundraiser Award: Emma Shiers
The Great Neighbour Award: Mick "Lagbir" Singh
The Environmental Award: Martina Irwin
The Volunteer Award: Inderpal Kaur
The Young Hero Award: Eleri Taylor

Cumbria

The Active Award: Nigel Goddard
The Animal Award: Eden Animal Rescue
The Community Group Award: ANDYSMANCLUB
The Fundraiser Award: Gary McKee
The Great Neighbour Award: The Harbour Ladies
The Environmental Award: Annie Garforth
The Volunteer Award: Catherine Clarke
The Young Hero Award: Rocco Boyd

Derby

The Active Award: Poss+Abilities Dance Group
The Animal Award: Nancy
The Community Group Award: Reach Community Grocery
The Fundraiser Award: Miles For Smiles
The Great Neighbour Award: James Vallecarde
The Environmental Award: Greener Derby
The Volunteer Award: Kenny Sharpe
The Young Hero Award: Jack Hithersay

Devon

The Active Award: Sophie Conbeer
The Animal Award: Thunderball
The Community Group Award: Dough Bros
The Fundraiser Award: Paul Maxwell
The Great Neighbour Award: Donna Gibbins
The Environmental Award: Sustainable Hatherleigh
The Volunteer Award: Heather Rayne
The Young Hero Award: Dylan

Essex

The Active Award: Simon Johns
The Animal Award: Tilly's Angels
The Community Group Award: Forget Me Not Dementia Cafe
The Fundraiser Award: Three Flying Fish
The Great Neighbour Award: John and Helen Wright
The Environmental Award: Lindsey Raven Emrich
The Volunteer Award: Carole Darby
The Young Hero Award: Jayden Melius

Gloucestershire

The Active Award: Emma Jones
The Animal Award: Vicki Oliver
The Community Group Award: Toucan for Children
The Fundraiser Award: Claire and John Smith
The Great Neighbour Award: Chrissie Lowery
The Environmental Award: Rob Hopkins
The Volunteer Award: Sam McHillary
The Young Hero Award: Maizee Philipson

Guernsey

Overall Winner: Mandy Hobart

Hereford & Worcester

The Active Award: Stan Cantrill
The Animal Award: Aura Therapy Dog
The Community Group Award: Lee's Place Volunteers (Homeless Hub Hereford)
The Fundraiser Award: The FTD brothers
The Great Neighbour Award: Sheila Jones
The Environmental Award: Ross Dyke
The Volunteer Award: Eltayeb
The Young Hero Award: Leo Sproson

Humberside

The Active Award: Rebel Runners
The Animal Award: East Hull Community Farm
The Community Group Award: Wizer CIC
The Fundraiser Award: Freddie Cole
The Great Neighbour Award: Maureen Mulligan
The Environmental Award: Frank Sparkes
The Volunteer Award: Walter Minns
The Young Hero Award: Rex Carmichael

Jersey

Overall Winner: Suzie Mahe

Kent

The Active Award: The Allstride Collective
The Animal Award: Jaffa & Kayleigh Pettett
The Community Group Award: The Swale Stroke Group
The Fundraiser Award: The Aldred family
The Great Neighbour Award: Maureen and Alan Waters
The Environmental Award: Phil Riches
The Volunteer Award: Stewart Kitching
The Young Hero Award: Tony Hudgell

Lancashire

The Active Award: Together We Can Do
The Animal Award: Linzi and Dr Riggs
The Community Group Award: Breath of Fresh Air Choir
The Fundraiser Award: Becki Fielding
The Great Neighbour Award: Sal Munshi
The Environmental Award: Glynis Goldsbrough
The Volunteer Award: Victoria Danson
The Young Hero Award: Alannah Morris

Leeds

The Active Award: Suffia Hussain - Project On Guard
The Animal Award: Sue Shaw
The Community Group Award: SEN Parent Support Group
The Fundraiser Award: Dr Shaunna Burke
The Great Neighbour Award: Kate Wormald-Smith
The Environmental Award: EPIKS
The Volunteer Award: Jade Lee
The Young Hero Award: Harry Evans

Leicester

The Active Award: Katrice Rodrigues
The Animal Award: Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital Trust
The Community Group Award: Braunstone Adventure Playground
The Fundraiser Award: Dhiru Shah
The Great Neighbour Award: Elaine Ner
The Environmental Award: Syston Community Flood Group
The Volunteer Award: Alison Bates
The Young Hero Award: Maxwell Appleyard

Lincolnshire

The Active Award: Anne Rust
The Animal Award: Rosie Tonks
The Community Group Award: The Holbeach Hub Team
The Fundraiser Award: Janice Dilks
The Great Neighbour Award: Jo Thompson
The Environmental Award: Peter Skelson
The Volunteer Award: Lorna Curtis B.E.M
The Young Hero Award: Thomas Bowles

London

The Active Award: Rita Sinclair
The Animal Award: Ghost
The Community Group Award: Hummingbirds Stay and Play
The Fundraiser Award: Maggie Linford
The Great Neighbour Award: Rifat Awan
The Environmental Award: Ben Morris
The Volunteer Award: Sotiroulla Antoniou-Pamment
The Young Hero Award: Nariyah-Rose Redley

Manchester

The Active Award: Jordan Egerton
The Animal Award: Ace + Richard Beswick
The Community Group Award: Angels United
The Fundraiser Award: Helen Thornhill
The Great Neighbour Award: Saima Alvi
The Environmental Award: Theo Avraam
The Volunteer Award: Andrew Stone
The Young Hero Award: Yasmin Ali

Merseyside

The Active Award: Carl and Mim Eaton
The Animal Award: Celandine Wood Animal Rescue
The Community Group Award: The Residents of DJK House
The Fundraiser Award: Aidan Jackson
The Great Neighbour Award: Julie Foster
The Environmental Award: Halton Youth Cabinet
The Volunteer Award: Lisa Carol
The Young Hero Award: Isla Unsworth

Newcastle

The Active Award: Steven France
The Animal Award: Bailey
The Community Group Award: Project Santa
The Fundraiser Award: Malcolm Rolling
The Great Neighbour Award: Nick Springham
The Environmental Award: Wild Intrigue
The Volunteer Award: Ray Knox
The Young Hero Award: Bailey Wilson

Norfolk

The Active Award: Berna Akinal
The Animal Award: Lisa Poole
The Community Group Award: Walk And Talk EA
The Fundraiser Award: Miriam Lake
The Great Neighbour Award: Jenny Ellis
The Environmental Award: Tommy Goodson
The Volunteer Award: Sandra Edmonds
The Young Hero Award: The Shoebox Squad - Tilly & Sienna

Northampton

The Active Award: Michelle Lewis
The Animal Award: Flo the Horse
The Community Group Award: Northamptonshire Search & Rescue
The Fundraiser Award: The Rust Bucket Rally
The Great Neighbour Award: Sylvia Parkes
The Environmental Award: Wellingborough Eco Group CIC
The Volunteer Award: Allison WalkerBray
The Young Hero Award: Louie Roe

Nottingham

The Active Award: Forever Stars Football Club
The Animal Award: Vets In The Community
The Community Group Award: Summitsup
The Fundraiser Award: Adele Cook
The Great Neighbour Award: Andis Senkans Coupe
The Environmental Award: Open Wings - Blankets for warmth and shelter
The Volunteer Award: Tracy Dickinson
The Young Hero Award: Solomon Mosley

Oxford

The Active Award: Ryan Goodenough
The Animal Award: One Wish Dog Foundation
The Community Group Award: Footprints Baby Loss
The Fundraiser Award: Laura Kenyon-Slaney
The Great Neighbour Award: Kerry Mellor
The Environmental Award: Earth Trust Volunteers
The Volunteer Award: Jo Doherty - Phone Friends Age UK Oxford
The Young Hero Award: Mila Wilson

Sheffield

The Active Award: John Drury
The Animal Award: Isha
The Community Group Award: Valley Youth Hub
The Fundraiser Award: Sarah Robinson
The Great Neighbour Award: Jane Marsh
The Environmental Award: Chesterfield Litter Pickers
The Volunteer Award: Grace Wood
The Young Hero Award: Thalia Fili Toseland

Shropshire

The Active Award: Sandy Ramsay
The Animal Award: Amanda Ball, Severn Valley Rescue
The Community Group Award: The Fox at Ryton Community Group
The Fundraiser Award: Staff and Volunteers at The Elizabethan
The Great Neighbour Award: Debi Angell
The Environmental Award: The Basement Team at Telford Town Centre
The Volunteer Award: Steve Smith
The Young Hero Award: Alfie and Louie Bannon

Solent

The Active Award: John Molloy
The Animal Award: Nelly
The Community Group Award: The 4Ps Project
The Fundraiser Award: Russell Matthews
The Great Neighbour Award: Carole Taylor
The Environmental Award: Victoria Road Gardeners
The Volunteer Award: Charlotte Blanchard
The Young Hero Award: Teddy Michaelides

Somerset

The Active Award: Gavin Step
The Animal Award: Rufus
The Community Group Award: Escape Support Group
The Fundraiser Award: John Davis
The Great Neighbour Award: Barbara Seacombe
The Environmental Award: Patricia Whitworth
The Volunteer Award: Chhavi Gautam
The Young Hero Award: Harrison’s Class, All Saints Church School

Stoke

The Active Award: Dave Taylor
The Animal Award: Dawn Johnson
The Community Group Award: CCPA Stars Volunteers
The Fundraiser Award: Matt Davies
The Great Neighbour Award: Graham Harrison
The Environmental Award: Rising Brook Ground Force
The Volunteer Award: Jamie Palmer
The Young Hero Award: Freddie-Jack Brown

Suffolk

The Active Award: Moreton Men Sports Group CIC
The Animal Award: Yvette Hart - Wags on Water
The Community Group Award: Hadleigh Mental Health and Wellbeing
The Fundraiser Award: Megan Boxall
The Great Neighbour Award: Cait O'Reilly
The Environmental Award: ActivGardens Team
The Volunteer Award: Jessie Coburn
The Young Hero Award: Poppy Brame

Surrey & Sussex

The Active Award: Pauline Draper
The Animal Award: Nathan Harman
The Community Group Award: Befriended
The Fundraiser Award: Diana Levantine
The Great Neighbour Award: Jane Slipper
The Environmental Award: Rachel Wood, Eco Earlswood
The Volunteer Award: Juliet Fielder
The Young Hero Award: Zac Knight

Tees

The Active Award: Carl Trattles
The Animal Award: Pauline Wilson
The Community Group Award: The Headlight Project
The Fundraiser Award: Ian Lawrence
The Great Neighbour Award: Ian Milburn
The Environmental Award: Stuart White
The Volunteer Award: Elizabeth Robinson
The Young Hero Award: Roman Wright

Three Counties Radio (Beds, Herts and Bucks)

The Active Award: Wayne Martinig
The Animal Award: Karen Bird
The Community Group Award: Mission EmployAble
The Fundraiser Award: Richard Hill
The Great Neighbour Award: Eileen Sexton-Adams
The Environmental Award: Bedford Repair Café
The Volunteer Award: Rose Forde, Street Fathers Luton
The Young Hero Award: Evie Everett

Wiltshire

The Active Award: Peter Quinney AFM
The Animal Award: Search and Scan
The Community Group Award: Wiltshire Treehouse
The Fundraiser Award: Georgia Johnstone
The Great Neighbour Award: Matthew Aldridge
The Environmental Award: Howard Yardy
The Volunteer Award: Adrian Sawyer
The Young Hero Award: Buddy Muns

WM (West Midlands)

The Active Award: Ben Collins
The Animal Award: Dillon, Parklands RDA
The Community Group Award: Alive Wellness Centre
The Fundraiser Award: Sylvia Enefer The J W Hunt Cup
The Great Neighbour Award: Carole Sparke
The Environmental Award: Neelam Ulhaq
The Volunteer Award: Mike Nash
The Young Hero Award: The Matrix Project

York

The Active Award: Louise Prashad
The Animal Award: Bronte the Therapy Dog
The Community Group Award: Dads Behaving Madly – Graham Porter
The Fundraiser Award: Cain North
The Great Neighbour Award: Chris Ford
The Environmental Award: Grow Scarborough - Darren Mancrief
The Volunteer Award: Norma Jenner
The Young Hero Award: Autumn Boyle

Nations

Radio nan Gàidheal

Overall Winner: Barra Teens

Radio Scotland

The Active Award: Gordon Mackie
The Animal Award: Bowie
The Community Group Award: Charleston Matters
The Fundraiser Award: Mark Sommerville
The Great Neighbour Award: Barbara Buckley
The Environmental Award: Alexander Watson
The Volunteer Award: Jeanette Dickson
The Young Hero Award: Emmie Mitchell

Radio Ulster

The Active Award: Mencap NI Healthier Me Ambassadors
The Animal Award: Sebastian
The Community Group Award: The Little Forget Me Nots Trust
The Fundraiser Award: The David James Richmond Foundation
The Great Neighbour Award: Stella McGinn
The Environmental Award: Daniel McAfee
The Volunteer Award: Noah Holden
The Young Hero Award: Ollie Harbinson

Radio Wales/Cymru

The Active Award: Emma Parry
The Animal Award: Dylan Allman
The Community Group Award: The Queer Emporium
The Fundraiser Award: Ray Roberts
The Great Neighbour Award: Sally Thomas
The Environmental Award: Ted Williams
The Volunteer Award: Kaz Jefferies
The Young Hero Award: Noa-Rose Alderman

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