Awards shining a light on people helping others

Foster carers Marva and Lionel Warmington were among the 2024 winners

Nominations have opened for the 2025 BBC local radio Make a Difference Awards, which celebrate people who are doing good things for others and shine a light on some of the ways they have made a difference.

People can nominate their unsung heroes via the website, and all BBC local radio stations will hold award ceremonies later this year.

Among those recognised last year was Tipton binman Steve Whitehouse, who saved three people from a fire.

Another winner was jacket potato seller Ben Newman – better known as social media sensation Spudman – who has brought thousands of people to Tamworth.

Tipton binman Steve Whitehouse risked his life to save people from a fire

Purdey's Pet Shop was a finalist last year for its work delivering food parcels to pets, whose owners were using food banks.

Owner Rebecca Harrington said the pet shop had put together food parcels that went out through the Trussell Trust food bank network to get to the people in need, adding: "I've seen it first-hand."

Guest judge Deb McAndrew, from the Claybody Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, said judges wanted to give everyone recognition with an award, but being nominated and shortlisted in itself was a recognition.

As a judge, she said: "Sometimes it is like comparing apples and oranges. You look at people and they're all doing amazing things and you've somehow got to find a reason to pick one of them above all the others and it is really difficult.

"What you want to do is give everyone recognition - but hopefully being nominated and being shortlisted is a recognition."

The 2024 winners included foster carers Marva and Lionel Warmington from Birmingham who had helped more than 150 children. Mrs Warmington described how about 30 years ago she thought "there was a better way to care".

Organisations that received awards included the Coventry and Warwickshire Charity Christmas Tree Collection, Shropshire Cat Rescue, Wellington Cycle Hub, and the Keep Tenbury Clean and Green Community Group.

Businessman Ben Newman – aka Spudman – brought thousands of people to Tamworth

Two new categories this year are the Young Hero Award for a person under 16 and the Active Award for those who used sport to improve lives.

Other categories cover volunteering, neighbour contributions, animals and people that help animals, people who help the environment, fundraising activities and an award for community groups changing lives.

Make a Difference was set up during the Covid pandemic to recognise the everyday, unsung heroes who go the extra mile for others.

Nominations close on 31 March and winners will be announced in September.