Lancashire's Make a Difference Awards winners revealed

A young girl who is determined to help those around her and a sports group providing a lifeline to disabled people across Blackpool are among the winners of BBC Radio Lancashire's Make a Difference Awards 2026.

The ceremony featured stories of kindness, resilience and dedication at Lancaster's Ashton Hall.

Winners were announced in eight categories that recognised people who go above and beyond to help others and make a real difference in the community.

The awards were set up to give the public the chance to say thank you to those who go the extra mile.

Victoria Danson is the founder of Crohn's & Colitis Support Group Lancashire, a support group for people with inflammatory bowel disease.

Inspired by her own diagnosis with Crohn's disease at 19, Victoria offers community events, holistic therapy, and online education to help people navigate their conditions.

Following her diagnosis, a nurse arranged a visit from two young women who had also had stoma surgery which led to Victoria's "lightbulb moment".

She said: "I'm going to bring people together in Lancashire to talk about their experience, and just give them hope that they can live a full life.

"I feel really proud that we're able to make a difference."

Alannah Morris spends her time helping local charities.

The seven-year-old has supported her community through litter picking and spending her Christmas Day helping homeless people over the festive season.

Alannah said: "I'm really surprised. I didn't think I was going to get it."

Her mum Gemma Sleight said: "When I had Alannah, I never imagined she was going to be the little girl she's grown up to be.

"Even in school, if she sees someone struggling, she's there.

"She's the first person that wants to help."

Sal Munshi, who is the owner of the Indian restaurant Sultans of Lancaster Experience, was nominated after he provided free meals for his community including medics and and the homeless.

On Christmas Day 2025, Sal delivered more than 500 free meals to key workers, and people who were sleeping rough in the area.

After receiving the award, Sal said: "To see the impact I have on other people's lives is absolutely amazing.

"Everything I do is from the goodness of my heart.

"That's what my faith teaches me, and that's what my family values are."

Blackpool-based charity Together We Can Do wants every disabled person to have access to regular sports and exercise.

The charity runs boccia, tennis, cricket, baseball, rounders, netball, archery and bowling sessions across the Fylde coast.

Although it has a small number of staff, the charity's "army of volunteers" keep the group going.

Ally is a volunteer football coach, and her brother is a player on the team.

She said: "The fact that he's ready every Thursday and Monday with his kitbag says everything."

For many, the group is not just about playing sport, but discovering new friends and growing confidence.

Howard Robinson co-founded the group five years ago to support his son after he left school.

He said: "The more able help the less able, and it's fantastic."

Linzi Bannister, and her Sussex Spaniel Dr Riggs, volunteer with Pets as Therapy at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital.

Together they support staff, patients and visitors through some of their most difficult health challenges.

Linzi said medical treatment and hospital visits can be daunting experiences, something she experienced following her cancer diagnosis and treatment between 2023 and 2024.

Dr Riggs was Linzi's support dog, keeping her comfortable during anxious moments.

Today he helps not just for Linzi, but for patients across Lancashire.

"He was a great support to me, going through treatment for breast cancer", she says.

"Once I got through that, I decided to share it with other people."

Glynis Goldsbrough is the founder of Sustainably Learning CIC, a social impact business that has been educating schools and communities on climate change since 2007.

Glynis has worked with more than 200 schools and 6,000 students to help young people develop the skills and confidence needed to tackle the climate crisis.

After receiving the award, Glynis praised the attitudes of young people at the primary schools she works with.

She said: "They realise there is no planet B, and they want to be proactive.

"Now we're having to put right what we put wrong, and I'm very pleased to be able to do so."

Belthorn dairy farmer Becki Fielding is a fundraiser for The North West Air Ambulance, and other local charities.

The North West Air Ambulance operates 365 days of the year, providing pre-hospital care to the most critically ill and injured people across the region.

However, the service receives no direct government or NHS funding and relies entirely on donations.

Each trip can cost up to £4,500.

It was important to Becki that every person across the county could have access to this vital service.

"Every case is a personal story, and I just think anything you can do that helps is a good idea," she said.

The Breath of Fresh Air choir is a Lancaster-based singing group for adults with breathing difficulties, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The choir was set up to help the community, after health data found the area had poorer lung health than other parts of the country.

Evidence suggests that singing can improve health and wellbeing for people with lung conditions.

The group is an official Asthma Lung UK 'singing for lung health' choir.

Held at the Gregson Community and Arts Centre every Monday, the choir has brought people together helping them to forge friendships between songs.

Choir leader and community musician Charlie Brown said: "We have some wonderful choir members that come week after week and have a wonderful time."

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