Girl who held inclusive talent show among BBC award winners

Daisy-Mae won the young hero award during Thursday's ceremony

A teenager who held a talent show that empowered people with disabilities to get onstage has won an award.

Daisy-Mae, from Loughton, defied her selective mutism to make a public speech at the event in the Epping Forest area.

The 13-year-old was one of eight winners at BBC Essex's Make a Difference awards in Hatfield Peverel on Thursday.

Shahid Hussain, the radio station's executive editor, said it showcased the "kind, caring and supportive communities" in the county.

"Our team at BBC Essex play a small part in giving much-deserved recognition to individuals and groups who put others before themselves," he said.

"Celebrating the stories of our communities is exactly what the award ceremony is all about, and it's always a fun, exciting and emotional night."

George Duke also won the volunteer award for his efforts to start a social club

Make a Difference was set up during the Covid-19 pandemic as a way of celebrating people's contributions to where they lived.

Hundreds were nominated for the Essex awards, with 31 finalists invited to Hatfield Place for the ceremony.

A man who founded a social club for over-60s in Stanford-le-Hope was also awarded on the night.

Among the famous names judging the awards were TV personality Lydia Bright, Olympic boxer Lewis Richardson and BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood.

The winners were as follows:

• Great neighbour - Jane and Mark Harvey have taken their neighbour in Southend-on-Sea to work and hospital appointments, while also walking her dogs and cooking her food when she is unwell

• Active - Dave Cash, from Chelmsford, set up Mates FC, using the power of football to raise awareness of mental health and support people who were struggling. It came after he lost four friends to suicide in 2017

• Animal - Kelly Butler dedicated most of her time to helping injured animals in the Epping Forest area, getting them treatment and saving lives

• Green - Eco Essex Rehome, Reuse, Repurpose is a Facebook group that focuses on upcycling everyday items that would otherwise be sent to landfill. It is run by Sam Pitman and Hannah Dalton

• Fundraiser - Rhys and Cai Atkinson, aged eight and seven, from Hatfield Peverel, discovered their passion for raising money after their best friend died from cancer in 2023

• Community group - Underdog Crew was started by Dom Morgan in 2008 to support misunderstood, disadvantaged and vulnerable young people in Colchester

• Volunteer - George Duke gives up his time to run a twice-weekly social club for over-60s in Stanford-le-Hope, offering entertainment, food and drink to almost 300 people

• Young hero - Daisy-Mae, from Loughton, has selective mutism and managed a speech about what life is like for her, while also empowering other people to be proud of their identity

You can see the full list of nominees here.