Make a Difference Awards honour local heroes

The winners were announced in eight categories on Monday night

Community heroes in Surrey and Sussex have been honoured at the 14th Make a Difference Awards.

The BBC event, held at Lingfield Park Racecourse, saw awards given in eight categories, including Community Group, Young Hero and Animal.

Judges included Olympian Sally Gunnell, survival expert Ray Mears and MP Nusrat Ghani.

The awards began in Sussex and Surrey in 2011, and are now run across BBC Local.

East Grinstead's James Cooper, who won in the Active category, ran 366 marathons in 366 days

The awards spotlight individuals and groups who go above and beyond for others.

Global Grooves Foundation performed at the interval of the ceremony.

From hundreds of nominations sent in, 32 finalists were chosen, with the winners announced on Monday night.

Gunnell presented the Active award to winner James Cooper, who ran 366 marathons in 366 days to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for The Samaritans.

She said that all nominees were making a difference to so many lives, adding: "I have had a few tears in my eyes."

Mr Cooper said it had been a difficult year managing the logistics of running with his work as a personal trainer.

"It was the most incredible year, all the aches and pains were worth it," he added.

Terri Collins won in the Volunteer category at the awards

Winner in the Volunteer category, 85-year-old Terri Collins, who co-founded Elmbridge Community Link and later launched The Counselling Partnership, was asked what the best thing was about her roles.

She said: "The people you meet, the other volunteers. It's such an amazing thing to be involved with."

Dexter Coyne said it was "amazing and unbelievable" to be given an award

Guy Butters, former Brighton & Hove Albion defender, mentor and coach for the Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation, said: "The young heroes in this room tonight have done a fantastic job, they're an inspiration."

Winner in the Young Hero category, Dexter Coyne, said it was "amazing and unbelievable" to be given the award.

Asked about what motivated him, he said: "There are people out there that need support and we should help them."

Ray Mears judged the Fundraiser award

Vicki Berry, executive editor at BBC Radio Sussex and BBC Radio Surrey, said: "The people that we celebrate are so special, they never look for any kind of celebration.

"It's a privilege to be able to celebrate these people in our communities."

Gordon and Sylvia Price have transformed their Billingshurst neighbourhood

The full list of winners is:

• Great Neighbour Gordon and Sylvia Price, who have transformed their Billingshurst neighbourhood into a close-knit, caring community. Sylvia, a retired NHS nurse, checks in daily on elderly neighbours, while Gordon tends the gardens and helps with transport to hospital appointments. Together, they offer practical support, companionship, and kindness—making life better for everyone around them.

• Volunteer Terri Collins, who has spent decades transforming lives in Surrey. She co-founded Elmbridge Community Link in 1994 to support people with learning disabilities, and later launched The Counselling Partnership, offering affordable therapy. A trained counsellor herself, Terri - who is in her 80s - is still active with the charities and does fundraising too - like skydiving.

• Animal Simon Wild, West Sussex Wildlife Protection, a wildlife rescuer whose dedication knows no bounds, responding to calls day and night to help animals across the area. Simon is the go-to name on local forums and has saved countless creatures, sometimes putting himself at risk. A recent 3am rescue of a fox ended with a trip to A&E.

• Active James Cooper from East Grinstead ran 366 marathons in 366 days to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for The Samaritans. He was inspired by his own struggles but also the loss of his uncle. As well as working full-time, he's built a community through his Smilinggg initiative.

• Green Regena Coult, a volunteer from near Guildford who leads habitat restoration projects, inspiring volunteers and persuading local farmers to support conservation. She has spent over a decade rescuing thousands of migrating toads from busy roads—sometimes working through the night and funding vet care and fencing herself.

• Community Group Selsey Buddy Support offers everything from grocery runs and pet food deliveries to tech help and transport for medical appointments. Powered by passionate volunteers, this initiative also brings people together through English and sign language classes, as well as companionship through the Robins befriending service.

• Young Hero Dexter Coyne from Sussex has completed a charity challenge every year of his life, raising funds for 12 charities so far. Aged 10, he has tackled 10 extraordinary challenges - from running 100 park runs to climbing Big Ben and cycling nearly 50 miles in winter. His '10 at 10' campaign raised money for causes close to his heart, showing remarkable determination, compassion, and a drive to make a difference.

• Fundraiser John McCutchan who, for over 50 years, has opened The Arlington Bluebell Walk to the public, raising more than £1m for local charities. Now nearly 90, John still works tirelessly — supplying refreshments, offering free mobility scooters, and even topping up donations when visitor numbers are low. He continues this remarkable tradition in memory of his late wife Carolyn.