Make a Difference: Young sailor boosted by volunteer award

Will Sears won the 2023 Bravery category

Winning a BBC Make a Difference Award has "built my confidence", a teenage volunteer has said.

Will Sears, 17, from Christchurch Dorset, won the 2023 Bravery Award.

He suffered a haemorrhagic stroke caused by a brain tumour five years ago but is now an instructor, teaching other young people to sail.

Nominations are now open for the 2024 Make a Difference Awards which shine a light on people going above and beyond in their local communities.

Will was 12 when he suffered a haemorrhagic stroke but was able to resume his love of sailing and qualified as a day skipper and dinghy instructor.

Will qualified as a day skipper and dinghy instructor

"From that time I was a bit down and not really wanting to go out and do stuff, but I began to build up confidence again," he said.

"I was already an avid sailor but since my stroke I've started teaching others and helping them to get out on the water."

Will now takes groups of children on sailing courses and works with the Tall Ships Youth Trust as a watch leader, as well as volunteering with his local foodbank.

He said his nomination for a Making a Difference Award came "totally out of the blue".

"It's built my confidence a lot - I find it really fun teaching other people how to sail, and that interaction you have with them, learning about them and what they're going through," he said.

"Anyone that is doing anything is special - they are making a difference in their communities in some way."

Make a Difference

The Make a Difference Awards recognise and celebrate people who are going above and beyond to make a difference where they live.

Every BBC Local Radio station will host an awards ceremony in 2024.

The awards are a chance to say "Thank You" and show recognition and appreciation for people who love to make life better for others.

Nominations can be made at BBC Make a Difference where you can also see full Terms and the Privacy Notice. Nominations will close on Sunday 10 March 2024 at 23:00 GMT.

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].