Skydiving 95-year-old among local heroes honoured

A skydiving 95-year-old, a cycling fundraiser and even a rescue dog were among the winners at an award ceremony celebrating people who had made life better for others in their communities.

The BBC Radio Cumbria Make a Difference Awards featured stories of kindness, resilience and dedication at an award ceremony at The North Lakes Hotel in Penrith on Saturday.

Winners were announced in eight categories, including being a "great neighbour" and a "young hero".

Judges, including Barrow-born England footballer Georgia Stanway, Cockermouth's Olympic and Commonwealth medal-winning swimmer Luke Greenbank, and BBC TV and radio presenter Gaby Roslin, chose from thousands of nominations.

David Aris, 95, from Oxenholme, has raised £55,000 for St John's Hospice over the past seven years.

Mr Aris's wife, June, was cared for at home and in the hospice before her death.

He has taken on the world's fastest zipwire in Wales, completed two tandem skydives, and even cycled the distance of the Land's End to John o' Groats challenge on a static bike in his living room.

Eleven-year-old Harry Little, from Croglin, raised thousands of pounds for Eden Valley Hospice by raffling Christmas wreaths and taking on a host of cycling challenges both at home and abroad.

Search dog Morag is part of the Penrith Mountain Rescue Team and Lake District Mountain Rescue Search Dogs.

She was adopted by her handler Matt from an animal rescue centre.

Despite now being 12, she is still ready to get up and go when a call comes through.

Residents of Frizington for about 50 years, Gareth and Jacqueline Cameron were described as "the heartbeat of their community".

They organised regular quiz evenings which raised thousands of pounds for local projects and groups.

These nights were not only fundraisers but also valuable in bringing people of all ages together, helping to combat isolation and loneliness.

Young Wigton Wombles volunteers, aged from eight to 11, are dedicated to keeping Wigton and the surrounding areas clean and green.

Every week they were out picking up and recycling litter, helping to create safer and more welcoming spaces for everyone.

Kayleigh Graveson, from Barrow, donated nearly 2,000 books in her town to try and ensure underprivileged children had access to the learning resources they needed at home.

She was described in her nomination as "one of the kindest, most selfless people you'll ever meet".

Over the last five years, tens of thousands of pounds have been raised and donated to the Great North Children's Hospital and Jigsaw Children's Hospice in Cumbria by Smile for Miley, based in Allonby.

Set up by the family of 10-year-old Miley Todd after her death in 2018, the charity has organised various sporting activities to remember Miley and raise funds in her memory, helping other families who have been affected by critical illness or bereavement.

Cockermouth Linking Lives is a befriending service aimed at adults who find themselves in need of some extra friendship and support.

The people they help get a weekly visit or phone call to help them hear a friendly voice, catch up on news, or give them somewhere to share their worries.

They also organise community gatherings, like games or craft sessions, and have launched a Comfort Cafe for those experiencing grief.

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