Make a Difference award winners announced

The Make a Difference Awards for the West Midlands were held at the Birmingham Hippodrome

Preparing meals for the homeless, rescuing trapped animals and litter picking during the early hours - these are the activities of volunteers who help out in our communities.

The ceremony for this year's Make a Difference Awards was held at the Birmingham Hippodrome on Monday, when each of the finalists' inspiring stories was shared with attendees.

BBC Radio WM heard from and celebrated people from all walks of life including a 10-year-old boy who provides football punditry to blind people and a team helping to save lives of people with addiction.

All the winners from the 2025 awards can be seen below.

Pamela Smith, 88, took the volunteer award

Pamela Smith, an 88-year-old who volunteers at the Good Shepherd homeless centre in Wolverhampton twice a week, took the volunteer award.

Typically, 100 people are served a meal every Friday and her nomination said she was "so kind and loving" and despite having neuropathy in her legs, serves and prepares meals standing for hours.

She said: "Back in 2011, I went for a meal at a Chinese restaurant, I looked across the road and saw a queue of people looking for food outside Darlington Street church.

"I phoned up and offered to help out on Christmas Day, then that led to volunteering four times a week and now it's two days."

Sabrina Ffrench won the great neighbour award

The great neighbour award was won by Sabrina Ffrench, a nurse at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust.

Her charity work includes activities with Destination Florida and Dreamflight, which take children who are or have been ill abroad.

She has volunteered for the Cavell nursing charity supporting healthcare professionals and a charity that prevents food waste.

The nurse told the ceremony: "I thought there's no way I'd win, there's so many fantastic people here, it's made me so emotional.

"I didn't know I was making a difference but obviously I am."

Frazer Tibbitts won the young hero award

The young hero award went to Frazer Tibbitts, a 10-year-old who has had 60 eye operations and is registered blind.

The nomination said he was the prized pundit with Beacon's Talking Newspaper Fanzone with his "entertaining audio match reaction for his beloved Wolves".

He was "helping to reduce the impact of isolation" and had provided moments of "comedy and character".

"The thing I enjoy most about doing my Wolves podcast is my little joke at the end," he said.

Asked for an example, he replied: "I don't trust stairs cause they're always up to something or they bring you down."

The active award went to Neo Sports, led by coach Nehemiah Browne

Neo Sports, led by coach Nehemiah Browne, won the active award, after making an impact on children's and young people's fitness within the community.

He works in Nechells, Aston, Handsworth, Ladywood and Rowley Regis through sport coaching and "primary physical education specialisation".

Mr Browne said: "When I was younger, I started boxing, it gave me a focus through my trials and tribulations.

"There's really amazing people in this building, it's an honour just to be here and win this award."

Ray Dedicoat won the animal award

The animal award winner was Ray Dedicoat from Hollytrees Animal Rescue in Hollywood.

After going out with trapping equipment to rescue animals who are trapped, sick or injured, he rehabilitates and releases them, reunites lost pets with their owners and helps to search for lost animals.

He told the audience: "I believe in reincarnation, I have to help everything cause you never know what you'll come back as.

"I never thought I'd be up here collecting this award."

Ruth Meredith won the green award

The green award winner was volunteer litter picker Ruth Meredith, who often starts her day as early as 04:00 and on days when she has to work does not let her job deter her.

In the last 12 months, she has gathered more than 300 bags of general litter.

She has collected nearly 100 bags of tin cans and picked up about 2,400 bottles and glasses.

"I find syringes and knives too. I know the risks, but my conscience won't let me leave them there... I have 13 grandchildren, and I get them involved in litter picking."

The community group award went to Better Way Recovery, whose founder is Pete Griffith

Better Way Recovery, which has "not only helped individuals overcome their struggles but has also brought families back together", took the community group award.

In Lichfield, Tamworth, and Burton, founder Pete Griffith's efforts had created a "ripple effect of positive change".

He told the ceremony: "I'm speechless. I was 28 years in drug addiction, it ripped my family apart.

"I shouldn't even be here but I believe I'm here for a reason. Listening to some of these stories tonight, I'm so humbled."

Joshua Hoskins won the fundraiser award

The fundraiser award went to Joshua Hoskins, 26, who has Down's syndrome.

Every month he uses one hour's pay to buy goods for a foodbank and uses LinkedIn to encourage other employers to give people with Down's syndrome jobs.

Last year he ran two campaigns, one to provide Easter eggs and the other for selection boxes for the food bank.

He said: "It feels good to be a Make a Difference winner. I love my parents, my mum and my dad, my brother is my whole world."