Skydiving 95-year-old among local heroes honoured

A group photo of the winners of the 2025 BBC Radio Cumbria Make a Difference Awards. They are on a purple carpet, smiling and holding their trophies. The Make a Difference Awards logo is projected on a screen behind them. The venue is lit in a dimmed purple light.

Worthy winners have been celebrated in the Make a Difference awards

A skydiving 95-year-old, a cycling fundraiser and even a rescue dog were among the winners at an award ceremony celebrating people who had made life better for others in their communities.

The BBC Radio Cumbria Make a Difference Awards featured stories of kindness, resilience and dedication at an award ceremony at The North Lakes Hotel in Penrith on Saturday.

Winners were announced in eight categories, including being a "great neighbour" and a "young hero".

Judges, including Barrow-born England footballer Georgia Stanway, Cockermouth's Olympic and Commonwealth medal-winning swimmer Luke Greenbank, and BBC TV and radio presenter Gaby Roslin, chose from thousands of nominations.

The Fundraiser Award – David Aris

David Aris is sitting and smiling at the camera. He has balding white hair and is wearing glasses. His t-shirt bears the logo for St John's Hospice.

David Aris's wife was cared for at St John's Hospice

David Aris, 95, from Oxenholme, has raised £55,000 for St John's Hospice over the past seven years.

Mr Aris's wife, June, was cared for at home and in the hospice before her death.

He has taken on the world's fastest zipwire in Wales, completed two tandem skydives, and even cycled the distance of the Land's End to John o' Groats challenge on a static bike in his living room.

The Young Hero Award – Harry Little

Harry Little is standing in front of a green hedge is smiling broadly at the camera. He has blonde hair and is wearing a dark t-shirt.

Harry Little took on cycling challenges at home and abroad

Eleven-year-old Harry Little, from Croglin, raised thousands of pounds for Eden Valley Hospice by raffling Christmas wreaths and taking on a host of cycling challenges both at home and abroad.

The Animal Award – Morag

Morag the dog is sitting in a wild, grassy moorland field. She has black-and-white fur and is wearing a collar with a yellow tag on it.

Morag is part of Penrith and Lake District mountain rescue teams

Search dog Morag is part of the Penrith Mountain Rescue Team and Lake District Mountain Rescue Search Dogs.

She was adopted by her handler Matt from an animal rescue centre.

Despite now being 12, she is still ready to get up and go when a call comes through.

The Great Neighbour Award – Gareth and Jacqueline Cameron

Gareth and Jacqueline Cameron are sitting next to each other in a garden and are smiling at the camera. Mrs Cameron (on the left) has a grey bob and is wearing a blue and white top. Mr Cameron (on the right) has short grey hair and is wearing dark sunglasses.

Gareth and Jacqueline Cameron helped to tackle loneliness and isolation

Residents of Frizington for about 50 years, Gareth and Jacqueline Cameron were described as "the heartbeat of their community".

They organised regular quiz evenings which raised thousands of pounds for local projects and groups.

These nights were not only fundraisers but also valuable in bringing people of all ages together, helping to combat isolation and loneliness.

The Green Award – Wigton Wombles

The group of seven are standing in front of a painted mural and smiling at the camera. They are of all ages and are wearing high-vis vests.

The Wigton Wombles were out in the community every week

Young Wigton Wombles volunteers, aged from eight to 11, are dedicated to keeping Wigton and the surrounding areas clean and green.

Every week they were out picking up and recycling litter, helping to create safer and more welcoming spaces for everyone.

The Volunteer Award – Kayleigh Graveson

Kayleigh Graveson is holding up books, the front one is written my Malala Yousafzai, and smiling at the camera. She has long dark hair and is wearing glasses.

Kayleigh Graveson donated books to youngsters in her town

Kayleigh Graveson, from Barrow, donated nearly 2,000 books in her town to try and ensure underprivileged children had access to the learning resources they needed at home.

She was described in her nomination as "one of the kindest, most selfless people you'll ever meet".

The Active Award – Smile for Miley

Two people standing in a field are wearing green hoodies, which bear with the words: "Smile For Miley". They are smiling at the camera.

The charity Smile for Miley helped families affected by critical illness or bereavement

Over the last five years, tens of thousands of pounds have been raised and donated to the Great North Children's Hospital and Jigsaw Children's Hospice in Cumbria by Smile for Miley, based in Allonby.

Set up by the family of 10-year-old Miley Todd after her death in 2018, the charity has organised various sporting activities to remember Miley and raise funds in her memory, helping other families who have been affected by critical illness or bereavement.

The Community Group Award – Cockermouth Linking Lives

Two men are sitting on a bench and laughing while in conversation. They both have short white hair.

Cockermouth Linking Lives organise community gatherings

Cockermouth Linking Lives is a befriending service aimed at adults who find themselves in need of some extra friendship and support.

The people they help get a weekly visit or phone call to help them hear a friendly voice, catch up on news, or give them somewhere to share their worries.

They also organise community gatherings, like games or craft sessions, and have launched a Comfort Cafe for those experiencing grief.

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