25-02-2025
BBC Make a Difference: Miniature horse 'in demand' after BBC win
A therapy horse is "even more in demand" since winning a BBC award, its owners have said. Mr Kelloggs, a miniature horse, regularly goes into care homes and hospitals across Dorset and the New Forest to meet residents and patients. In September, he won the animal award at BBC Radio Solent's Make a Difference Rob Franks was the winner of the community award and has urged people to put others forward this year: "If you know someone who's doing good in the community, 100% nominate them - don't hesitate. Nominations close on 31 March.
Mr Kelloggs is "even more in demand since his big win", said Sharon Gledhill, whose daughter Megan started Christchurch-based Linking Hearts Therapy Horses five years ago."Every time we went to a care home after the event everybody was so excited for us, and we had lots of messages on Facebook, so many people were so happy for us," she continued."They get to hug and kiss him and stroke him, and they tell lots of stories about their past when they were younger."It brings back lots of memories and just brightens them up and puts a spark back in their day again."Mr Kelloggs' nomination came as a "complete surprise", Ms Gledhill explained."To be part of that experience was just phenomenal we were so honoured to be there and talking to so many people there, and hearing lovely stories of amazing things people were doing."You do what you do because you love it and you don't really seek recognition, so it was just the icing on the cake."
'Laptops in the loo'
Mr Franks, from Poole, was nominated for his work distributing laptops to disadvantaged young people. It started during the Covid-19 lockdown when he put out an online plea for computers to help the school where his wife works, but it soon expanded. "It was bonkers," he explained,"We had laptops in the lounge, in the dining room, in the toilet - they were just everywhere." Mr Franks, who also received the British Empire Medal in the King's Birthday Honours last year, refurbishes the computers himself and believes he has helped more than 1,000 is urging people to nominate others for this year's BBC awards."You just never know what that could do to somebody - it could really inspire them and other people around them, so definitely nominate if you know somebody who you think deserves it."
How to nominate
The Make a Difference Awards recognise and celebrate people, across eight different categories, who are going above and beyond to make a difference where they BBC Local Radio station will host an awards ceremony in awards are a chance to say "thank you" and show recognition and appreciation for people who love to make life better for can be made via the BBC Make a Difference website where you can also see full terms and the privacy notice.
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