Anti-knife campaigner wins Make a Difference award

A mum who has installed life-saving bleed kits around her hometown has been honoured for having "turned an awful personal tragedy into something positive".

Hayley Ryall, mum of teenager Mikey Roynon, who died in a stabbing in 2023, set up Mikey's World following his death. The charity raises funds to provide bleed kits which are placed in key public locations across Bristol.

She was celebrated alongside others at BBC Radio Bristol's Make a Difference Awards on Friday evening.

Thirty-one finalists were recognised for going above and beyond to help others during a ceremony at the city's Harbour Hotel, with eight winners announced.

Ms Ryall explained the aim of her charity was to raise awareness around knife crime, as well as supply bleed kits in communities.

"They can be used for catastrophic bleeds – it could be a car accident, it could be somebody falling off a bike," she said.

Ms Ryall said she was shocked to have won the Volunteer Award, adding: "I'm shaking still, but it's all for my boy."

Donate for Defib WSM took home the Community Group Award for its life-saving work

Donate For Defib WSM, set up by Josh Bell from Weston-super-Mare, was the winner in the Community Group category.

The group was founded in the seaside town in 2023 after a local man had a cardiac arrest and died. A nearby defibrillator was inaccessible at the time.

The charity aims to move defibrillators to accessible locations in cabinets on the outside of public buildings.

"My dream is to raise enough money to install defibrillators across Weston-super-Mare," said Mr Bell.

"Locations like churches, clubs, restaurants, on every post box, on every business. You name it, we'll put it there."

BBC Radio Bristol's Joe Sims celebrated Sandra Davies' fundraising achievements on stage

The Fundraiser Award went to a pub landlady who has turned to fundraising challenges after losing her son.

Sandra Davies, who runs The Swan pub in Thornbury, has raised more than £200,000 for various charities including Thornbury Volunteer Centre, Thornbury Stroke Group and Thornbury in Bloom.

Mrs Davies said: "About eight years ago, my son Matthew passed away from suicide. He knew a little girl called Ezzy who needed serious surgery done in America. I decided we'd help Ezzy and from there on we've had different charities of the month."

Young Hero winner Cameron Mills says he hopes to inspire others

The Young Hero Award was won by 14-year-old Cameron Mills from Horfield.

He volunteers as a sports coach at Bristol Rovers Community Trust, where he helps to run the disability group and the antisocial behaviour group.

He has also set up The Reboot Project, a scheme for people to donate football boots for use by those who would otherwise be unable to afford them.

Gladiator star Apollo, who judged the category, said: "Cameron, you are proof that quiet actions can have a huge impact and I'm so, so proud to name you as my Young Hero."

Animal Award winner Bella joined BBC Radio Bristol's Claire Carter on stage

The other winners were:

• Great Neighbour Award: James Murden, who runs Good Times Festival in Chipping Sodbury, has raised money for the Grand Appeal which supports Bristol Children's Hospital - something he was moved to do after his seven-year-old daughter had severe epileptic seizures.

• Active Award: Colin Johnson from Almondsbury, founder of Bristol VI Runners, provides guides to enable blind and visually impaired runners to get involved in the sport.

• Animal Award: Bella the Collie Cross from Bath is an emotional support dog based at Jamie's Farm on the outskirts of the city and supports young people who are not thriving at school to learn new skills.

• Green Award: Luke Cooper won for his work maintaining and educating people about green spaces in south Bristol, including setting up environmentally-focused educational workshops for young people in his local area.

The ceremony at Harbour Hotel Bristol was hosted by BBC Radio Bristol presenters Joe Sims and Claire Carter.

All 31 finalists received a trophy to recognise their achievements.