25-02-2025
West Midlands Make a Difference Awards nominations open
Nominations have opened for the 2025 BBC local radio Make a Difference Awards, which celebrate people who are doing good things for others and shine a light of some of the ways they have made a can nominate their unsung heroes via the website and all BBC local radio stations will hold award ceremonies later this those recognised last year was Tipton binman Steve Whitehouse, who saved three people from a winner was jacket potato seller Ben Newman – better known as social media sensation Spudman – who has brought thousands of people to Tamworth.
The 2024 winners included foster carers Marva and Lionel Warmington from Birmingham who had helped more than 150 children - Mrs Warmington described how about 30 years ago she thought "there was a better way to care".Mr Whitehouse, who risked his life to save others after he spotted a fire, said: "I just did what I had to do, I was there at the right time."Organisations that received awards included the Coventry and Warwickshire Charity Christmas Tree Collection, Shropshire Cat Rescue, Wellington Cycle Hub, and the Keep Tenbury Clean and Green Community Group.
There are two new categories this year, the Young Hero Award for a person under 16 for their positive impact or an exceptional achievement and the Active Award for those who have used sport to improve categories include the Volunteer award for someone who gives time to help others, the Great Neighbour Award for those who make neighbourhoods Animal award is for an animal that has improved lives or people who improve animal welfare, and the Green award is for those who help their final two categories are the Fundraiser award for those supporting good causes and the Community Group Award for people who have helped change lives of others in their community.
Make a Difference was set up during the Covid pandemic to recognise the everyday, unsung heroes who go the extra mile for close on 31 March and winners will be announced in September.
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