Make a Difference Awards 2025 winners celebrated
BBCA boy who has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity and a man living with a terminal cancer diagnosis who is supporting others, were among the winners at BBC Radio Stoke's Make A Difference Awards 2025.
A star-studded award ceremony was held on Thursday at the Bet365 Stadium, where the remarkable stories of all the finalists were shared with invited guests.
Other winners include a group that has planted a tree for every person in their town and a beloved support dog that helps her owner in moments of need.
There were a total of 32 finalists this year across eight categories.
Hosted by Jodie Looker and Lee Blakeman, the event saw the likes of boxer Nathan Heaney and The Great Pottery Throwdown star Keith Brymer Jones among the guests.
The panel of judges included Olympic gold medallist Bryony Page and former Blue Peter presenter Anthea Turner, as well as a host of actors and TV stars.
When this year's volunteer award winner Ann Moorhouse lost her husband in 2006, she raised £5,000 in his memory for the Guide Dogs charity.
Now, almost 20 years on, Ms Moorhouse has raised more than £100,000 and also regularly walks guide dogs for owners who would not be able to take them for runs in the countryside.
Jamie, who collected theyoung heroaward, said winning had made him feel "so, so, so good".
He has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for Debra, a charity that supports people living with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) also known as butterfly skin.
It is a condition Jamie himself lives with, as well as a liver disease, for which he has undergone a series of operations.
He is the only child to take on the role of ambassador for Debra, and hopes to help one day find a cure or treatment for EB.
It was "wonderful" for him to win the award, his mum Kate said.
"I'm so proud that he's had that recognition, because he doesn't realise how special he is," she added.
Liam Walker picked up the great neighbour award after saving a man from a house fire.
Mr Walker's mum, Julie, picking up the award on his behalf, said it was "amazing" her son had been recognised.
"I'd have been mortified thinking something tragic could've happened to him - luckily it didn't and he was there to get whoever was in there out safely," she said.
She said her son did not want any recognition, but added he would be "so, so proud" of himself for winning the award.
The winners in the animalcategory were Faith Windsor and her autism assistance dog Ember.
The pair carry out school visits and attend dog shows, and Ember supports Faith day-to-day when she struggles with anxiety or sensory overload.
Ember will alert Ms Windsor to medical episodes by pawing and licking her to get her to sit down or by taking her hand in her mouth to move her to a safe space.
Faith said she was surprised they had won, but "excited and shocked" to pick up the award.
Ember was seen wearing new bows especially for the occasion.
"We're just so close to each other, we're so in tune with each other's feelings that it doesn't matter what happens to me, she's always next to me," Ms Windsor said.
Winners of the greenaward - Trees for Congleton - formed after their local town council declared a climate emergency in 2019.
Since then, they have planted a tree for every person in the town (more than 30,000) which has led them to creating 25 community orchards.
They also got about 100 local school children involved in planting the first "tiny forest" in east Cheshire.
Kevin Griffiths, winner of the fundraiseraward, is a stoma-user facing a terminal cancer diagnosis.
He set up the charity Cancer My Arse, and also uses his personal experiences to bring attention to issues and reduce the stigma associated with cancer and stomas.
The charity was on course to surpass £150,000 of fundraising in its first 12 months, he said.
"If ever there was an award to be accepted on behalf of other people, this would be it," he told BBC Radio Stoke, referring to the number of people getting involved in challenges and creating their own fundraising initiatives.
"I'm delighted," he added, on picking up the award.
The winner of the community groupcategory was Ruff & Ruby, an urban youth support charity.
Dawnie Reynolds, collecting the award, said she was "humbled" to be recognised.
"We stand for every young person in our city," she added.
The group was nominated for its work in Stoke-on-Trent over the past 15 years.
It provides workshops as well as bedroom makeovers for young people and runs a youth phone app that offers support and guidance.
Winning the activeaward was Andrew Stone, who was not present on the night but was nominated for his "extraordinary commitment" to the sport of swimming.
He has been involved with Cheadle & District Swimming Club for 55 years, and has coached thousands of swimmers.
Mr Stone travels across the country to attend training sessions and galas, and he has also supported the club in presentations to celebrate members' achievements.
"His passion, dedication, and tireless work continue to touch the lives of many, making him a deserving candidate for this award," according to those who nominated him.
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