Devon Make A Difference Awards finalists announced

Jack Davey, who coaches the Exeter Otters - the oldest wheelchair basketball club in the country, was among those nominated

Fundraising children, dynamic pensioners and a therapeutic llama are among the finalists in the 2024 BBC Radio Devon Make A Difference Awards.

The awards are in their third year and recognise and celebrate people who genuinely make a difference in communities across the county.

The Devon finalists in 2024 include new charities, established community organisations and energetic individuals committed to bringing people together, fundraising for good causes and caring for others.

The competition is comprised of eight categories with this year’s awards also recognising animals making a difference and individuals working in animal welfare.

Little Green Change, which offers environmental education opportunities to children and young people, was nominated in the Green category

The Seal Project in Brixham is the passion of Sarah Greenslade, who, in her free-time, monitors seals across Torbay.

She is a finalist alongside the UK Wild Otter Trust and Hedwigs Hedgehog Hotel, both in north Devon, and Harry the therapy llama who visits care settings across east Devon.

Also among the finalists is ChemoHero, which gives Boxes of Kindness to people starting cancer treatment in north Devon. It was originated by Lisa Wallis, just after her own diagnosis, and is now continued by her husband Rob.

Two boys, both under the age of 11, are finalists for their work raising money and awareness for other children’s causes; Jensen making play parks in Plymouth more inclusive and Tim helping to change the experiences of young people coming into the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RD&E).

The oldest finalist is 82-year-old Arthur Harman – a volunteer walk leader with Westbank in Exminster.

ChemoHero was started by Lisa Wallis after her cancer diagnosis and gives those starting chemotherapy a Box of Kindness

This year’s Devon awards were launched in February and nominations came in from hundreds of people across the county.

A group of four judges – from local community organisations – then chose the finalists. They are due to come together for a celebration and awards ceremony in September.

Fundraiser

Awarded to an individual or group of people who have gone the extra mile to raise funds for a good cause.

• Jensen, aged 11, who has raised £26,000 to transform play parks in Plymouth into inclusive spaces for children of all abilities

• Sam Abrahams whose La La Choirs across the county have raised £260,000 for local and national charities through singing

• Michael Langman - his Christmas lights display in Churchstow, near Kingsbridge, has raised more than £73,000 for Childrens Hospice SW

• Tim, aged 10, who after 150 operations is now fundraising for the new RD&E paediatric A&E department in Exeter

Animal

Awarded to an animal that improves the life of an individual or group of people or a person or group of people working with animals to improve animal welfare.

• The UK Wild Otter Trust in North Devon which rescues, rehabilitates and releases otters into the wild

• The Seal Project which monitors and protects the seals of Torbay

• Hedwigs Hotel Hedgehog Rescue in Bideford which helps hedgehogs in need

• Harry the therapy llama who visits those living in care settings across the county

Michael Langman annually stages a Christmas lights spectacular in his garden to raise funds for Childrens’ Hospice SW

Carer

Awarded to someone who improves the life of an individual or group of people through their helpfulness, compassion and support.

• Charlie Baker – a foster carer supporting mothers and babies by providing 24-hour care in her own home.

• Jane Taylor – an ambassador for Devon Carers and unpaid carer for her husband, who has advanced MS

• Georgina Page – a young adult carer who helps her mum face physical and mental health challenges

• Francis Checkley – who looked after his wife through her eight-year cancer journey

Community

Awarded to a group of people who have helped to genuinely change the lives of others within their community.

• The Dads Network runs activities and offers support to dads, father figures and male carers across the country

• Jenny Adjene, founder of Gifted Women, which helps disadvantaged women find employment and new futures

• ChemoHero gives ‘boxes of kindness’ to people beginning cancer treatment in North Devon and beyond

• Jack Davey coaches Exeter Otters, the oldest wheelchair basketball club in the country

Volunteer

Awarded to an individual who makes a notable difference to their community by giving their time voluntarily to help others.

• Reece Edwards - a former aircraft engineer, who now supports elderly patients at Torbay Hospital

• Keith Langworthy - a volunteer coastguard rescue officer in Dartmouth for more than 30 years

• Adam Simmons - coach of the West Country Hawks Wheelchair Rugby team

• Arthur Harman - driver, walk leader and cook for Westbank Community Health and Care

Great Neighbour

Awarded to an individual who helps to make the neighbourhood a better place in which to live or work, either on a regular basis or through a single act of kindness.

• Di Fuller - for her work with Sid Valley Help, bringing people and organisations together to combat loneliness in particular

• Jon Richards Junior - for his work in Woolacombe to support local businesses and residents through events and activities

• Thomas Launder - for his work helping those in sheltered housing with recycling, shopping and weekly bingo

• Pete Starbuck - a retained firefighter, first responder and DJ, for his work supporting the community in Woolacombe and Morthoe

Bravery

Awarded to an individual or group of people who have shown outstanding courage, defiance and duty in the face of perceived danger, fear or difficulty.

• Aimee Conroy, who set up Luna's Fund in memory of her daughter, supporting parents through baby loss

• Louise Butcher, the 'topless runner' raising awareness and money for breast cancer charities

• Noah, aged four, a determined gymnast, who lives with heart challenges, which affect his quality of life

• Marc Bonnage, who set up Every Man Matters, which supports men with their mental health

Green

Awarded to an individual or group of people who make where they live a better place by caring for the environment and nature.

• Clare Matheson of Little Green Change - offering environmental education opportunities for children and young people

• El Clarke and Ash Samuels of Clean Our Patch - establishing more than 40 litter-picking hubs across Plymouth

• Chardstock Eco Group - engaging the community in local environmental action projects around the Axe

• Richard Eckersley of ReRooted - developing a circular, sustainable business for organic milk production in Totnes