Winners of Make a Difference awards feel 'proud'

The fundraiser category winner Tim (centre) said he was "surprised" to have won the award

People who won the Make a Difference awards in Devon said they felt "proud" and "overwhelmed" to have been selected.

People across Devon were recognised for making a difference in communities across the county at an event on Wednesday.

The fundraiser award was given to Tim, aged 10, who after more than 150 operations has been fundraising for the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital's paediatric emergency department in Exeter.

On Thursday, his mum Kristy said Tim, who lived in Exeter, was "overwhelmed and surprised" to have won the award, and that there were tears of joy.

'Inspirational people'

“He was so overwhelmed with just being nominated but I think he was just there for the macarons personally,” she said.

“It was lovely, we met so many inspirational people and saw quite a few people we recognised.”

Tim said he had problems with his oesophagus which meant he was unable to "eat or drink properly" and said he had a Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). It meant he was in and out of the waiting room "a lot" when he was a baby.

Talking about the new paediatric waiting room, his mum said Tim would like to see a PS5 console in the waiting area as he enjoyed his electronics.

“The new paediatric emergency department is going to be inclusive and a separate waiting area where all the kids can go," Kirsty said.

"It will be brightly coloured, with a beautiful ocean theme and there will be charging ports. It will just ease the waiting time."

Listen: Make a Difference awards Devon- Part one

Listen: Make a Difference awards Devon- Part two

The owner of Harry the llama, who won the animal award, said she believed he knew he did good by bringing joy to people living in care homes

Harry the llama won the award for the animal category for visiting those living in care across the county.

His owner Maggie Jee, who runs Llamas4Good in Sidmouth, said she was "very proud" of Harry and it was an "honour" to represent him as much as being his "llama servant".

She said: “It was amazing.

"I had so much imposter syndrome because of all those amazing people there doing wonderful things and there is me with my llama.

Ms Jee said their mission was to reach as many people as possible to bring joy to their lives and to create awareness that llamas make good “therapy animals”.

“I think they do know the good they do,” she added.

Winner of the carer category Jane Taylor said she was thrilled to have been selected for the award

The carer award category winner Jane Taylor, who is an ambassador for Devon Carers and an unpaid carer for her husband who has advanced MS, said she was "thrilled" to be selected.

Ms Taylor, who lives in Dartmoor, said being a carer meant there were "no days off" because it was a 24/7 role. She described it as “hard”.

She added: “But obviously it is hard for the people you are looking after as well, and you are always conscious of how hard it is for them to cope with the disease that they have got.”

Aimee Conroy (left) said her charity Luna's Fund supports people with baby loss

The bravery award winner, Aimee Conroy who set up Luna’s fund, said she started the charity after the loss of her daughter Luna.

She said it offered baby loss support and pregnancy support after loss.

Ms Conroy, from Plymouth, said: “Anybody in Cornwall, Plymouth and the surrounding areas can go on relaxing getaways free of charge, get food shopping deliveries, nursery decoration and can have access to private neonatal scans when they feel really anxious during that rainbow pregnancy after experiencing a loss.”

Arthur Harman, driver, walk leader and cook for Westbank Community Health and Care, from Exeter, won in the volunteer category. He dedicated his award to all of the volunteers.

Arthur Harman (middle) said he dedicated his award to all of the volunteers

Winner for the green category, Clare Matheson for Little Green Change, from Lyme Regis, said providing a free educational resource helped reach as many different children as possible from many different backgrounds.

She said the message of climate change could be "overwhelming" so by encouraging to make changes in their lives "builds and builds and becomes a massive, big change".

Lisa and Rob Wallis for ChemoHero, from Barnstaple, won the community category who give boxes of kindness to people beginning cancer treatment in North Devon and beyond.

Jon Richards Junior, from Woolacombe, won the great neighbour award for his work in Woolacombe which supports local businesses and residents with employment and safety.

Clare Matheson said the message of climate change could be "overwhelming" so by encouraging to make changes in their lives "builds and builds and becomes a massive, big change"