Make a Difference: Volunteers boosted by award recognition

Dean Collins won the 2023 Carer award

A volunteer who won a BBC Make a Difference Award for helping to distribute food parcels, said it had helped highlight "forgotten carers" in Oxfordshire.

Dean Collins, from Hook Norton, leads a team of volunteers who have provided more than 1,300 free cooked meals to unpaid carers and their families.

He won the 2023 Carer Award.

Nominations are open for the 2024 Make a Difference Awards which recognise those helping in their communities.

Mr Collins is head of feeding communities for the Thomas Franks Foundation, whose volunteers distribute food parcels from the catering firm to those in need in Oxford.

He picked up his award at the Oxfordshire Make a Difference Awards Ceremony in September.

"I felt very honoured - they are the forgotten carers," he said.

"It raises the awareness, but it's very rewarding - we put a lot of work in and it's something no-one else does.

"It was great to get the acknowledgement, for Oxford Carers to know they've been recognised."

Advaith Natarajan started handing out food parcels during lockdowns

Advaith Natarajan proved you are never too young to win a Make a Difference Award.

The nine-year-old from Banbury won the Volunteer Award for packing and handing out food parcels after school.

His father Prabhu launched the Lunch Box Project to help feed struggling families in the town.

Advaith started volunteering alongside his dad, handing out food parcels during the Covid-19 lockdowns.

He has also given away many of his own toys to children less fortunate.

He said his nomination and trip to the awards ceremony had been "unexpected".

"It was a bit terrifying but it was a good experience," he added.

"We celebrated in our assembly - it was amazing."

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.

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