Teen makes award final for chemo bag scheme

Lexie Trim, 15, has been shortlisted for the Young Hero award

A teenage girl who has handed out more than 500 bags for chemotherapy patients in hospital is one of the people shortlisted for a local BBC radio award.

Lexie Trim from Colney Heath in Hertfordshire started Lexie's Chemo Bags after her mother and aunt were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023.

The bags, given to Lister Hospital in Stevenage, contain items including bed socks, boiled sweets, a soft toothbrush, alcohol-free mouthwash and hand cream.

She is one of 32 finalists shortlisted across eight categories for the BBC Three Counties Radio Make A Difference Awards.

The awards, which began in 2022 across local radio, celebrate those making a positive contribution to their communities.

A fitness group which combines exercise with good deeds and a bikers' group which works to help people facing poverty are among those shortlisted in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

BBC Three Counties Radio breakfast presenter Andy Collins, who hosts the awards, said: "They're a wonderful way of saying thank you to those who are going above and beyond.

"I'm always humbled by the finalists, who all seem to underestimate the effect they have on those around them."

Breakfast show presenter Andy Collins hosted the radio station's BBC Make A Difference Awards in 2024

Jade Cook from Spectrum Performing Arts has been nominated for creating a space for children and adults with often complex additional needs.

She said: "It's wonderful to be recognised for something I believe is so important for society; for everyone to be included."

Luton Sikh Soup Kitchen is also in the final. It has handed out 15,000 meals in the town centre since it started in November 2021.

Therapy dog Ralph, who is deaf and partially sighted, visits hospital wards in Hertfordshire.

His owner Helen Lomax says patients are so keen to see him, that he is the incentive for getting people out of bed and dressed. Ralph is shortlisted for the Animal Award.

Ralph, who is deaf and partially sighted, is a therapy dog in Hertfordshire

COMMUNITY AWARD

• Aylesbury Sew and So's

• Forget-Me-Not-Dementia Volunteer Service (Hertfordshire)

• Luton Sikh Soup Kitchen

• Kaotic Angel Foundation (Stevenage)

FUNDRAISER AWARD

• Giles Cuthbert (Flackwell Heath, Buckinghamshire)

• Sandra Jeffs (High Wycombe)

• Ian Milne (Studham, Bedfordshire)

• Putnoe Scouts (Bedford)

GREEN AWARD

• Zoe Riley (Dunstable, Bedfordshire)

• Friends of People's Park (Luton)

• Richard Walker (Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire)

• Community Trees MK (Milton Keynes)

ACTIVE AWARD

• Scott Walker (Hertfordshire)

• Ros Cramp (Herts Disability Sports Foundation)

• Jade Cook (Spectrum Performing Arts in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire)

• GoodGym (Luton)

GREAT NEIGHBOUR AWARD

• Joan Sykes (Bourne End, Buckinghamshire)

• George Maxted (Houghton Conquest, Bedfordshire)

• Kevin Poulton (Luton)

• Stef Muzz (Ridgmont, Bedfordshire)

VOLUNTEER AWARD

• Saundra Glenn (Luton)

• Christine Blackett (Watford)

• Kenny Joe Witney (Biggleswade, Bedfordshire)

• Jan Hale (Milton Keynes)

YOUNG HERO

• Evie-May Stevens

• Frankie Pickup

• Owain Wilks

• Lexie Trim

ANIMAL AWARD

• Samantha Wenn and Chester the horse (Bedfordshire)

• Ralph the therapy dog

• Jenna Jones (Rehoming Animal Telephone Service, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire)

• Oaklands Small Mammal Rescue (St Albans)

The story of each finalist will be broadcast on BBC Three Counties Radio over the summer, with the winners announced at a ceremony at the Grove Theatre in Dunstable on 18 September.

The Luton Sikh Soup Kitchen hands out meals in the town centre every Sunday evening