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Local heroes in Make a Difference Awards final

News imageSanctuary Strikers A football team the Sanctuary Strikers, some stood in a line and some knelt or crouched in front of them posing for a team photograph.Sanctuary Strikers
Sanctuary Strikers offers a chance for refugees and asylum seekers to play football

Afootball team for refugees and a club for men's mental health are among the finalists for an award ceremony that celebrates local heroes.

The BBC Radio Berkshire Make a Difference Awards has eight categories, recognising those who love to make life better for others.

To date, more than 10 million people have got involved in Make a Difference across local and Nations BBC radio stations.

Winners for Berkshire will be selected by a panel of judges and will be crowned at a special event on 17 September.

Gurkha support

News imageForgotten British Gurkha Chandra Budhathoki in a red polo shirt and black baseball cap. He grasps a pen and is writing on some paper as he sits behind a desk. In front of him is an elderly many and woman who are looking to him for support and talking with him.Forgotten British Gurkha
Chandra Budhathoki has volunteered with the Forgotten British Gurkha for 16 years

Chandra Budhathoki, volunteers with a small charity in Reading, which supports the wellbeing of elderly and vulnerable Gurkha veterans, their widows and their families.

He has been giving his time to the Forgotten British Gurkha for 16 years and has now been nominated for the volunteer award.

Mr Budhathoki has helped the Gurkha community to settle and feel more engaged in the local area by working as an interpreter, supporting them with everything from arranging doctors appointments to opening bank accounts.

He said he feels "very honoured and privileged to be nominated" and he hopes he has been able to give those he supports some "happiness", "hope" and "confidence".

Good neighbour

News imageCarol Woolford a woman with red glasses sat on a cream sofa with a silver mesh designed lamp behind her right shoulder.
Carol Woolford offers her time and support for her local neighbours

Carol Woolford has lived in Whitley for nearly 50 years and when she first moved to the area she began volunteering at a make shift community centre which began in a local three bed house.

After the centre moved to a more permanent premises Ms Woodford continued her work helping the community with everything from childcare to keep-fit-classes.

Now retired, she no longer volunteers at the community centre, but she goes out of her way to still support her neighbours, being described as the local "helper, carer, advocate, messenger, internet provider, you name it".

She said she was "thrilled" to even be nominated for the good neighbour make a difference award and modestly she said that she did not think she deserved it.

'Incredibly rewarding'

News imageAndy's Man Club/ Mark Harvey Mark Harvey doing an OK symbol with his thumb and forefinger on his right hand, as he smiles at the camera, while wearing an all black t-shirt with "Andy's Man Club" emblazoned on the front of it. He appears to be in a crowd of people who are holding banners and walking.Andy's Man Club/ Mark Harvey
Mark Harvey helps men in his hometown with their mental health

After attending Andy's Man Club for his own mental health struggles in 2023 Mark Harvey decided to help other men going through a similar situation.

He set-up his own branch of the support group in his home town, Bracknell Forest.

He runs two safe and welcoming spaces for men of all ages and backgrounds to share their stories, support one another, and normalise conversations about mental health.

"Seeing the growth in the men who attend has been incredibly rewarding," Mr Harvey said.

"Hearing stories of family members noticing positive changes—and the pride in the attendees' responses—is truly moving."

He has now been nominated for a Volunteer Make a Difference award for his efforts.

Sanctuary Strikers

News imageTomson Chauke wearing a white and black adidas football t-shirt and a white red and green cap. He is looking at the camera with people behind him playing football on a dry brown grass pitch.
Tomson Chauke says the team lets people be themselves

Sanctuary Strikers is a community-focused football team which brings together refugees, asylum seekers, and local residents in Berkshire.

The team which was founded in 2017, has been nominated for an active award.

Tomson Chauke, runs the clubs and he said: "Chasing this bag of air, what happens is it provokes the conversations, it also lets people be themselves.

"There is a few guys who came here without even speaking a word of English – and now they're able to communicate. They're not here now, they're doing their thing, because they used football to do that."

Make a Difference award finalists 2025

Young Hero

  • Jimmy Cragg
  • Imogen Higley
  • Bella Rose
  • Scarlett Cripps

Fundraiser

  • Mike Bostock
  • Sandra Jeffs
  • Tyler Hall
  • Garry Shaugnessy

Green

  • The Eco Skills Learning Centre
  • Nikki Coome
  • Purley Sustainability Group
  • Lewis Currington

Great Neighbour

  • Carol Woolford
  • Paulette Morin
  • Kathy Walshe
  • Ian Hay

Volunteer

  • Victoria Robertson
  • Mark Harvey
  • Chandra Budhathoki
  • Stephanie Minici

Community

  • Thames Valley Positive Support
  • Enrych Berkshire
  • The Engine Shed
  • Utulivu Women's Group

Animal

  • Berkshire Birds of Prey
  • Christina Gilbertson and Milly
  • SAFE (Saving Abandoned Fly-Grazing Equines)
  • Keki's Guinea Pig and Rabbit Rescue

Active

  • Sport Together Berkshire
  • Berkshire Vision
  • Berkshire Unicorns Rugby Club
  • Sanctuary Strikers

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