Stabbed teen's sister awarded for knife crime work

A woman whose brother was stabbed to death has won an award for the role she has played in tackling knife crime since he was killed.

Shanine Wright's 16-year-old brother, Darrian Williams, died after he was attacked in Easton's Rawnsley Park on Valentine's Day 2024.

Wright has since delivered knife crime prevention workshops in schools, distributed bleed kits, worked alongside the Home Office, and has now taken home a BBC Radio Bristol Make a Difference Award

Thirty-two finalists were shortlisted at The Playhouse Theatre in Weston-super-Mare on Thursday for going above and beyond to help others, with eight winners announced on the night.

Wright was picked as the winner of the Volunteer Award by the category judge and Lord-Lieutenant of Bristol, Peaches Golding, who said: "All of the finalists were absolutely first class in what they did.

"But one of the finalists stood out above the rest, and that's because this individual identified a systemic reason for the problem that she wished to address."

The Sam Polledri Foundation, which was set up after the 24-year old died following a sudden cardiac arrest, was the winner of the Fundraiser Award.

His family was motivated to fund publicly accessible defibrillators across the city because there was no device available in the location where he died.

His mum, Louise Polledri, said: "The first defibrillator we put up was where Sam died in Millennium Square in 2022.

"Within three months, another young girl hit the floor of a cardiac arrest. This time, when they dialled 999, they were diverted to Sam's defib, and she's alive."

Category judge and Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden was impressed the foundation had raised more than £250,000.

She said: "You continue to make an impact on people's lives, so I want to thank you.

"I want to send you my respect and admiration and say thank you for all you have done, all you are doing and all you will do."

The Community Group Award recognised the achievements of Bristol-based Operation Community Hamper in helping support families with the cost of living.

Founder Charlotte Churchill, who started the group in 2020, said: "The first year we helped 19 families and last year we helped 1,300 families at Christmas time."

The judge of the award, former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Janette Manrara, said: "I'm so happy to hear that children that might not have a Christmas can have a Christmas.

"Kids that can't go to prom, go to prom. If they want to go to the cinema, they can.

"More importantly, even their gas and electric bills are able to be paid."

Eddie the cavapoo took home the Animal Award, after inadvertently becoming an assistance dog to his teenage owner, Lucia.

Lucia, from Weston-super-Mare said: "We first got Eddie as a pet and then my health started to decline, and we noticed that he was quite in tune with my body and what was going on. We started to train him to become my assistance dog."

The Animal Award was judged by BBC Radio 5 Live and Newsnight presenter Matt Chorley.

He said: "He's a lifesaver, able to detect the early signs of her seizures, and it's such a brilliant reminder of just how incredible dogs, animals, can be."

The Young Hero Award went to Lyla, from Bristol, who has worked to tackle discrimination in the city.

Alongside the charity, Integrate UK, the teenager contributed to a short film called Flagged, covering issues associated with xenophobia, and has been involved in events that brought together women from different cultures.

Gladiators star Apollo was the judge of the Young Hero Award and recorded a special video message for Lyla.

In it he said: "You've shown that speaking up can change minds, bring people together and help others feel like they belong."

Bristol-based Athena Combat Club, which offers kickboxing and Muay Thai training, was announced as the winner of the Active Award.

Ash Guest, who founded the club, said: "We're for women and all marginalised genders and we provide a safe and inclusive space for people to train, from complete newbies all the way through to fighters."

Category judge, Bristol's Olympic figure skating champion Robin Cousins MBE said: "Many other sports and clubs could learn from Athena Combat Club's approach to community and inclusivity."

The Great Neighbour Award recognised the efforts of Michael Heale from Nailsea.

Heale, who until recently had worked in the Iceland store in the town for 10 years, was nominated for going the extra mile to help customers and those in the wider community.

BBC Breakfast presenter Jon Kay picked Heale as the winner of the award.

In a video message he said: "It's the little things that you do that clearly make all the difference.

"I'm not sure you even realise the power of how much better you are making people's lives."

Natalie Donbavand, from Weston-super-Mare, received the Environmental Award for her work with Growing at Grove Park, which maintains the Victorian green space and promotes the benefits of volunteering on wellbeing.

Donbavand said: "Just being outside every day can really begin to lift people's mood and make them feel both physically and mentally better."

Presenter and celebrity chef Briony May Williams, who was the category judge, described Donbavand as a "superstar".

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