Beach clean girl, 10, among Make a Difference winners

Amaya, 10, spends her time cleaning her local beach and protecting wildlife

A young beach clean champion, an inclusive dance instructor - and a self-styled town "Banksy" - are among the winners at the BBC Radio Norfolk Make a Difference Awards 2025.

The awards were held in the restored keep at Norwich Castle Museum on Thursday, the first event to be held there and it was lit up in purple for the celebrations.

The awards celebrate groups and individuals who go the extra mile to make life better for others in Norfolk communities.

Winners were announced in eight categories, including Great Neighbour, Young Hero and Community Group.

The event was held at Norwich Castle, and its walls were lit up in purple

Among the winners, Amaya has been recognised for her efforts to protect sea life on the Norfolk coast.

The 10-year-old, who dreams of becoming a marine biologist, has scooped the Green Award.

Amaya picks litter at Heacham almost every day, has organised beach cleans, is fighting for a ban on flying rings - and has saved hundreds of stranded jellyfish.

She has autism and selective mutism, and uses illustrations to educate people about the importance of protecting wildlife. She has also made hedgehog boxes, bee water stations and puts bird feeding points around the village.

She recently published her sixth book - the latest is about sharks on behalf of Marine Rescue.

'I'm like Banksy!'

Angela French paints murals on the windows of buildings where she lives

Angela French, 79, won the Great Neighbour Award for her work to make Wisbech a more colourful place.

Despite using a walker due to arthritis, she paints the windows of businesses and churches around the town.

She said: "I'm like Banksy! I don't tell anyone who I am - or I get asked to do more!"

'We celebrate differences'

Dance instructor Lauren Rackham was also among the winners, taking the Active Award.

In 2021, the 30-year-old launched No Limits Norfolk, which runs 33 inclusive dance classes every week.

She was inspired to start the classes by her brother - who has complex autism and limited speech - and said it was her "dream" since she was a little girl.

The group is entirely self-funded and there are now 400 members in the No Limits Norfolk community.

She said: "My job is to make dance and music accessible for everybody. We celebrate people's differences."

'I love helping people'

A new category for this year's celebration is the Young Hero Award.

It is given to someone under 16 who has made a positive impact in their community or achieved something exceptional.

Mateo, 14, was selected by judges for his many voluntary roles.

He picks litter in his village, helps his older neighbours, runs a gardening business, is a member of St John Ambulance's cadets. He is also a Norfolk Police cadet.

Mateo wants to be a paramedic when he is older because he has "always loved helping people".

He said: "It's really nice to speak to people, especially older people, to make them feel less lonely."

The Volunteer Award: Oksana Hrytsenko

Finalists: Ian Smith, North Norfolk Railway Youth Development Club; Mike Potter and Peter Wood, Witness Service; John Dolamore, Community First Responder

The Young Hero Award: Mateo Skinner-Pelaz

Finalists: Austin Foster, Mason Martindale, Rory Bendon

The Great Neighbour Award: Angela French

Finalists: Ann Reeve, Gerard Knight, Keith and Carol Froude

The Active Award: Lauren Rackham

Finalists: Norfolk Knights Wheelchair Rugby Club; Ruby Bishop; Walk & Talk EA

The Animal Award: Lexi Nicol

Finalists: Hobson & Penel; Michael Envy with Bella & Bear; Sue Cole with Suzy

The Green Award: Amaya Edwards

Finalists: Countryside Litter Pickers; Doreen Cochrane; North Norfolk Wombles

The Fundraiser Award: Jayne Biggs, Heart2Heart Norfolk

Finalists: Jon and Amanda Sheehy, Amber's Army; Nick Loades, Ellie's Love; LILAC, Ladies in League Against Cancer

The Community Group Award: Women's Only Project, Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney

Finalists: King's Lynn Deaf Coffee Morning; North Walsham Good Neighbours; Welney Coffee Social

Nominations for next year's awards will open in spring 2026.