Lincolnshire Make a Difference winners celebrated

Summer Willetts, 15, who has raised thousands for good causes, with her mum Katie

A woman who has spent more than 50 years with the Guides, a teenager who raised more than £40,000 for good causes and a Shetland pony called Jo have been recognised by BBC Radio Lincolnshire at the annual Make A Difference Awards.

The event, at The Drill in Lincoln, welcomed more than 100 guests.

BBC Make a Difference began during the Covid-19 pandemic, as a virtual notice board for people needing support and those able to help. Since then, more than 10 million people have been involved nationwide.

One of the judges, Paul Hughes, from Channel 4's Hunted, described the process of selecting the finalists as an "emotional rollercoaster". He added: "Lincolnshire always delivers".

Clare Mansey has been a leader in Girlguiding UK for 41 years

Claire Mansey, leader of 7th Louth Guides and 1st Louth Rangers, won the Volunteer Award.

"It's a great honour and it means such a lot," she said. "It's not just for me, it's for all Guides".

Ms Mansey joined the Guides as a child and was awarded the Queen's Guide Award in 1981.

She explained: "I just wanted to give something back, I just love being with the young girls – they're such fun.

"It gives girls opportunities".

This year, there were two new categories. The Young Hero Award was won by 15-year-old Summer Willetts, while the Active Award was presented to Carl and Gemma Larder, who run a children's football club.

Summer has raised more than £42,000 for various organisations in the past seven years, having started fundraising at the age of eight.

Her mum, Katie, who was visibly emotional, said: "I'm so proud of her, she does so much to help others, it's so nice to see her recognised."

The teenager from Skegness said: "I can't believe it to be honest – it's just all such a big surprise."

Award-winners at the event at The Drill, in Lincoln

Mr and Mrs Larder set up Fulstow Juniors in 2023, after struggling to find an affordable football club for their son.

They began by putting on free, all-abilities training sessions for seven to 11-year-olds. Now they run three sessions throughout the week. The kids' club on a Saturday is still free, while other sessions cost £2.

Mrs Larder explained: "We have nothing else around here, there's nothing at all for kids, we're not on a transport link or anything".

"It is the difference between these kids getting out and about, or sitting at home on their PlayStation or Xbox".

Reflecting on the award, Mr Larder said: "I can't believe it, we just came for a night out.

"We're completely blown away – building a club from the ground up has been tough, so the recognition is amazing.

"There are thousands and thousands of grassroots coaches doing what we do every single day, come rain or shine – this is for them too."

Kaf Barriball founded Rainbow Dreaming CIC, which organises and delivers therapy pony visits.

Her pony Jo won the Animal Award. He is her smallest therapy pony, standing at just 31in (79cm) tall.

"I'm just gobsmacked – I can't believe he was nominated, or a finalist, to win it is insane."

When asked what Jo would think, she added: "He's got a tiny body with a massive personality. He'll be so big-headed now, it'll be a nightmare."

Subash Chellaiah set up The Centre for Reconciliation in 2019. It has gone on to support more than 2,000 people in Lincoln

Full list of BBC Radio Lincolnshire Make a Difference 2025 winners:

• Volunteer Award – an individual who makes a notable difference to their community by giving their time voluntarily to help others. Claire Mansey from Louth.

• Young Hero Award – someone under 16 who has made a positive impact in their community or achieved something exceptional. Summer Willetts from Skegness.

• Great Neighbour Award – an individual who helps to make the neighbourhood a better place to live or work, either on a regular basis or through a single act of kindness. David Herbert from Mablethorpe.

• Active Award – an individual or group of people who have used physical activity or sport as a way of improving the lives of those in their community. Carl and Gemma Larder, Fulstow Juniors.

• Animal Award – an animal that improves the life of an individual or group of people; or a person or group of people working with animals to improve animal welfare. Jo the Shetland Pony from Rainbow Dreaming CIC.

• Green Award – an individual or group of people who help to make where we live more environmentally friendly and better for nature. Sutton on Sea Beachcare.

• Fundraiser Award – an individual or group of people who have gone the extra mile to raise funds for a good cause. Tina Rowe from Spalding.

• Community Group Award supported by BBC Morning Live – awarded to a group of people who have helped to genuinely change the lives of others within their community. The Centre for Reconciliation.

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