Latest news with #MakeaDifferenceAwards
Western Telegraph
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Pembrokeshire people at BBC Make a Difference Awards
The BBC Cymru Wales Make a Difference Awards 2025 has recognised individuals and groups across the country for their outstanding contributions to their communities. The 32 finalists were selected from more than 700 nominees. Among those representing Pembrokeshire are a retired racehorse and a dedicated environmentalist. Ozzy, under the name Up For An Oscar, a retired racehorse from Pembrokeshire, has been nominated for the Animal Award. Once deemed unmanageable, Ozzy now serves as a therapy horse at Redberth Croft CIC, offering vital support to vulnerable individuals. Sharron Taylor is another Pembrokeshire representative shortlisted for her efforts in the Green Award category. The founder of Tipi Fields, Ms Taylor has made a significant impact on her local environment and community by cleaning coastlines of debris and marine waste. Her work doesn't stop at tidying up the coast; Ms Taylor also transforms the waste into unique, handcrafted items, breathing new life into discarded materials. BBC Radio Wales' Lucy Owen praised the nominees, saying: "We're absolutely blown away by the nominations we've had. "There are so many wonderful stories about community groups making a huge difference in their local areas and outstanding individuals committed to bringing people together, fundraising for good causes and caring for others." BBC Radio Cymru's Shân Cothi added: "Over 700 nominations for our very first Make a Difference Awards in Wales says so much about who we are as a nation. "It's incredible to hear about some of the amazing things that people are doing right across Wales. "A huge congratulations to everyone who was nominated and to all of our brilliant finalists." The winners will be chosen by a panel of judges from the BBC, including well-known presenters like Katie Owen, Lauren Price, and Gethin Jones. The successful community heroes will be announced at the awards ceremony on September 20 in Cardiff. The BBC Cymru Wales Make a Difference Awards 2025 aim to celebrate and acknowledge the people who go above and beyond in their communities, shining a light on these often-unsung heroes. This is the first year the awards have been held in Wales. A full list of the categories and finalists is available on the BBC's Make a Difference Awards website. The event, led by BBC Cymru Wales, is set to become an annual celebration of community spirit and selfless dedication.
South Wales Guardian
a day ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Carmarthenshire BBC Make a Difference Awards nominees
People who have made an extraordinary impact on their communities have been recognised in the BBC Cymru Wales Make a Difference Awards 2025. The awards, which were launched in Wales for the first time this year, celebrate those who have gone above and beyond for others. Out of more than 700 nominees, 32 finalists have been shortlisted across eight categories, with several representing Carmarthenshire. Among them are Katy Yeandle and Emma Rees, who have been recognised in the fundraiser award category. They started the charity Joseph's Smile in memory of Joseph, who died from neuroblastoma cancer in December 2021 at the age of three. The charity has raised half a million pounds, providing medical equipment and treatment for children. Another Carmarthenshire resident, Kaz Jefferies, also features in the fundraiser award category. She has spent a decade volunteering for the Llanelli Deaf Centre, raising money through mountain climbs, abseils, zip lines, and head shaves. Louise Chodeka is a finalist for the volunteer award. She runs a breastfeeding support group in Llandeilo, which she started 18 years ago as a single mum. Her efforts have provided help and support for many new mothers and their babies. In the young hero award category, Alys Davies has been recognised after losing her leg in an accident at the age of eight. Determined not to give up on her passion for dancing, she returned to the dance floor with the help of her prosthetic leg, proving an inspiration to everyone around her. Lucy Owen, of BBC Radio Wales, said: "We're absolutely blown away by the nominations we've had. "There are so many wonderful stories about community groups making a huge difference in their local areas and outstanding individuals committed to bringing people together, fundraising for good causes and caring for others." Shân Cothi, of BBC Radio Cymru, said: "Over 700 nominations for our very first Make a Difference Awards in Wales says so much about who we are as a nation. "It's incredible to hear about some of the amazing things that people are doing right across Wales, we've had nominations in from Ynys Môn to Swansea and Wrexham to Carmarthenshire. "A huge congratulations to everyone who was nominated and to all of our brilliant finalists." The winners will be announced at the BBC Cymru Wales Make a Difference Awards ceremony on September 20 in Cardiff.
BBC News
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Tom Grennan encourages mental health discussions
The singer Tom Grennan said he now found it easier to talk about mental health issues to his friends than when he was 29-year-old Bedford-born singer made the comment during a conversation with a winner of the BBC's Make a Difference Awards (MAD) which recognises ordinary people who have made a difference to their communities. Talking to MAD winner, Kevin Willows, who helped set up a bereavement walking group, Grennan revealed the importance of walking to him. "If I'm ever feeling like I want to get something off my chest, if it's with friends, or my wife or my parents, I always say, 'can we go for a walk?'" said Grennan. Discussing the importance of walking and exercise, Grennan said "a walk can save a life, talking can save a life".The son of a builder revealed how growing up in Bedford meant he often found it tricky to navigate his emotional side."Little towns are very much like alpha (towns), with boys anyway, nobody wants to seem like they're weak," he was his mother who encouraged him to express his emotions, telling him "if you've got emotions then let them out, because letting them out is always the best thing". 'Lots of tears' Grennan described how on a return visit to his home town, he had open conversations with his friends about "our feelings, about what was going on and there was a lot of tears, there was a lot of laughter, those barriers were breaking down," he said."I think as friends we became closer and cut the rubbish out. "And as grown men now we can sit down and talk about what we're going through and how we can lend a hand."Grennan said being the victim of an unprovoked attack and hospitalised with a broken jaw while at university was when he first encountered being depressed."It ruined me (the attack), why did it happen to me, why did these people not like me?," he questioned at the time. It was by joining a music group, where he met his best friend, and talking as well as singing which helped him recover from the trauma. The BBC Make A Difference Awards celebrate those who make life better for others in our communities. Listen to the full broadcast of Tom Grennan meeting some of the Make a Difference heroes with Gaby Roslin. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ray Mears to judge BBC's Make a Difference Awards
Survival expert Ray Mears will join MPs Nusrat Ghani and Monica Harding to judge this year's BBC Make a Difference Awards in Surrey and Sussex. The awards have been running for 14 years and recognise individuals and groups who make a difference to people living locally. Ray will be judging this year's fundraiser category, while Esher and Walton MP Ms Harding judges the volunteer category and Sussex Weald MP Ms Ghani judges the community group category. "I am delighted to be a judge, it is a real honour, and choosing winners is never an easy task as there are always so many worthy candidates," said Ray. "Learning of their achievements, sacrifices and contributions is a very special experience, one that restores my faith in our society." Ms Harding said she had seen first-hand how volunteers made a positive difference in her constituency. "Whether it's helping to prevent loneliness, cleaning up litter, creating activities for young people or befriending the elderly, volunteers help to put the heart into our community," she said. Ms Ghani said the work by volunteers in her community was often overlooked. "It's a fantastic way of recognising brilliant people and gives us a moment to say thank you," she said. The Make a Difference Awards is a BBC initiative to honour community champions across eight different categories. To nominate someone go to the Make a Difference Awards site, with nominations closing at 17:00 BST on 31 March. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, and on X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. New judge announced for Make a Difference Awards Make a Difference Awards
BBC News
31-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Survival expert Ray Mears to judge BBC's Make a Difference Awards
Survival expert Ray Mears will join MPs Nusrat Ghani and Monica Harding to judge this year's BBC Make a Difference Awards in Surrey and awards have been running for 14 years and recognise individuals and groups who make a difference to people living will be judging this year's fundraiser category, while Esher and Walton MP Ms Harding judges the volunteer category and Sussex Weald MP Ms Ghani judges the community group category."I am delighted to be a judge, it is a real honour, and choosing winners is never an easy task as there are always so many worthy candidates," said Ray. "Learning of their achievements, sacrifices and contributions is a very special experience, one that restores my faith in our society."Ms Harding said she had seen first-hand how volunteers made a positive difference in her constituency."Whether it's helping to prevent loneliness, cleaning up litter, creating activities for young people or befriending the elderly, volunteers help to put the heart into our community," she Ghani said the work by volunteers in her community was often overlooked."It's a fantastic way of recognising brilliant people and gives us a moment to say thank you," she Make a Difference Awards is a BBC initiative to honour community champions across eight different nominate someone go to the Make a Difference Awards site, with nominations closing at 17:00 BST on 31 March.
