Devon Make a Difference Awards finalists announced

Hugo, also known as "the lemonade boy", makes and sells homemade drinks for charity

A&E doctors who take on cold water challenges, miniature Shetland ponies and artistic litter pickers are among the finalists in the 2025 BBC Radio Devon Make A Difference Awards.

In their fourth year, the awards recognise and celebrate local people who make a positive contribution to communities across the county.

The competition is made up of eight categories, with a total of 32 finalists, and this year's awards also recognise animals that make a difference and people working in animal welfare.

Devon finalists include charities, community organisations and sports clubs, as well as energetic individuals committed to bringing people together, fundraising for good causes and caring for others.

Volunteer Award

Awarded to an individual who makes a notable difference to their community by giving their time voluntarily to help others.

• Derrick Lawson – a volunteer who uses his life experience in and out of prison to help others

• Richard Allen - working with Budleigh Lions Club and Lions across the South West

• Zoe Allars – who runs the 729 Club for people with learning disabilities living in Honiton

• Trish Jones – supporting the memory cafe, and carers groups in Silverton

Active Award

The Groovement Project in Plymouth is an inclusive dance company for children and adults

Awarded to 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.

• Phoenix Rising in Torbay – for using exercise to help transform the lives of women who have experienced domestic abuse

• The Pisces Club in Plymouth – for enabling disabled people to enjoy swimming

• Devon Deaf Rugby in Exeter – for bringing deaf and hearing-impaired players to the pitch

• The Groovement Project in Plymouth – an inclusive dance company for children and adults

Green Award

Awarded to an individual or group of people who make where live a better place by caring for the environment and nature.

• Vic Hibbert - for the YMCA Plymouth garden supplying fruit and vegetables for the food bank

• The Plympton Litter Pickers - for keeping their part of Plymouth clean and environmentally engaged

• Hannah Beaumont in Brixham - for recycling and upcycling what she finds on her Torbay litter picks and beach cleans

• Proper Job on Dartmoor - one of the first community reuse centres in the country

Fundraiser Award

Awarded to an individual or group of people who have gone the extra mile to raise funds for a good cause.

• The Oarsome Foursome - four girls under 10 running and kayaking for YMCA Exeter

• Adam Baker and Charlie Fleury - A&E doctors taking on cold water challenges for the Ocean Conservation Trust

• Jade Allen – for raising funds to enable her sister to have treatment for a rare brain tumour

• James Lake – for climbing Everest to support research into Huntingdon's disease

Animal Award

Judy Thompson and her team at Prickles in A Pickle care for more than 1,000 unwell or injured hedgehogs each year

Awarded to 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.

• Digby – the Australian labradoodle therapy dog for the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

• Prickles in A Pickle – the Stoke Fleming hedgehog rescue, caring for over 1000 poorly or injured hedgehogs each year

• K9 Focus – the dog and cat rescue and rehoming charity in Barnstaple

• Munchkins Miniature Shetland Rescue – giving ponies long-term care and a homes

Young Hero Award

Awarded to someone under 16 who has made a positive impact in their community or achieved something exceptional.

• Dan – a fundraiser, campaigner and radio presenter in Paignton helping other young people

• Georgina – coping with her own health to support her younger brother's complex needs

• Henry – who campaigns for families affected by cancer – and is training for the Paralympics

• Hugo – "the lemonade boy" who makes and selling drinks to raise funds for the Make A Wish Foundation

Abigail Daly is a student who supports others with learning disabilities

Great Neighbour Award

Awarded to 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.

• Vicki Owens in Lympstone – cooking Sunday lunches for ex-service and older people in her community

• Helen Jones in Willand – a parish councillor who started the food pantry in the village

• Abigail Daly in Plymouth – a student supporting students with learning disabilities

• Sue Nicholson - the inspiration for the Membury Mercury magazine and the Membury Merrymakers

Community Award

This award is supported by Morning Live, and awarded to a group of people who have helped to change the lives of others within their community

• The Benita Project in South Molton – serving meals and offering courses in cookery and budgeting

• Authoring Our Own Stories – a young people's group educating people about cultural identity

• The Youth Arts and Health Trust based in Exeter – supporting young people and families facing mental health challenges

• The Mid-Devon Messenger – a talking newspaper, keeping visually impaired people up to date with news, events and activities in their area