Local heroes honoured at Make a Difference Awards

The FTD Brothers and a 17-year old cancer patient were among the winners at last night's BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester's Make a Difference Awards.

Brothers Jordan and Cian Adams and teenager Leo Sproson, who saved five lives raising awareness of the need for stem cell donors, were celebrated at the Courtyard in Hereford, with judges selecting eight winners from a host of nominees.

The list was whittled down to 32 finalists by the panel, which included Paralympians Matthew and Rebecca Redfern, journalist Mazen Salmou, as well as a number of previous winners.

Launched during the Covid-19 pandemic, the awards recognise local heroes who make outstanding contributions to their communities.

The FTD Brothers claimed this year's Fundraiser award for their efforts to support dementia research.

The siblings, from Redditch, Worcestershire, have raised more than £2m for dementia research following the death of their mother Geraldine, aged 52, after she was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

The pair, who both have a gene that can lead to the condition and are at risk of developing dementia in their 40s, raised millions of pounds after running 33 marathons in 33 days across Ireland. Jordan also completed this year's London Marathon with a fridge on his back.

Their sister, Kennedy, who hasn't inherited the gene, said: "I'm so proud of my brothers because [after] a diagnosis like that you could go and live in fear and retreat.

"One day, I will be the only sister left, but I'm proud they've made this in their name."

Jordan's wife, Agnes, said: "I got a bit scared when he decided to run with a fridge on his back but it paid off."

Leo Sproson, from Bromsgrove, was the recipient of the 2026 Young Hero award.

The teenager, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia and received a transplant earlier this year, helped save lives by encouraging thousands of people to join the stem cell register after sharing his own cancer story.

His mother, Jenna Elwell, said: "I'm so proud. I don't have the words."

His father, Warren Sproson, said his son's cancer diagnosis was the "most horrendous news", but he had handled it like a "hero".

Leo said: "I just don't want anyone else to go through what I went through.

"I'd like to thank doctors, nurses, friends and family. If you haven't already signed up to donate, you should."

The winner of this year's Active award was Stan Cantrill who, at the age of 81, remains as passionate as ever about his beloved judo.

Known as 'Stan the Man', he stepped in to support Hereford Judo Club, an inclusive sports club, during the pandemic, and has continued to help the local community since.

He said: "Judo is part of the soul. A value in judo is friendship, comradery and friendship.

"Age doesn't stop me, I'm still fighting."

Penny Griffiths, from Bewdley, and her dog Aura, claimed the prize in this year's Animal category.

Representing the Pets as Therapy charity, the pair attend local groups, offering company and cuddles to local dementia groups, schools, hospitals and care homes.

Aura made 100 visits in her first year as a therapy dog.

Griffiths said: "This little dog has come from knowing nothing and being a little rescue, to making such a difference to everybody's lives and I'm so proud that people have spotted that."

Aura also seemed pleased with the award and waggled her tail lots.

Volunteers from Hereford-based Lee's Place were the Community Group winners, after giving their time, energy and kindness to support people experiencing homelessness.

A group of 70, they cook hot, home-made meals, sort clothing donations and serve food to those they help seven nights a week.

Volunteer Christine Price said: "[People] can come seven days a week, every evening. Someone to talk to, hot food and connection, which is really important."

"I just love it, the people, I love connecting with them and I know all our volunteers do. It's a community in itself," she said.

Ross Dyke from Droitwich was the winner of the Environmental award.

He set up Get Children Growing in 2024, working to give young people the chance to grow their own food, build confidence and find an appreciation for the environment.

This year, he has taken the initiative further, providing 30 schools across Worcestershire with relevant equipment.

He said he got satisfaction from promoting horticulture and believed it was good for the mental health of young people.

He added: "My dad was a big champion of what I'm doing, I think he'd be very proud."

Sheila Jones, from Ross-on-Wye, received this year's Great Neighbour award, after being nominated for her astonishing energy and generosity.

She has created a weekly group aimed at tackling loneliness and isolation of women in the region. Each week, she opens the doors to her home and welcomes others in, encouraging them to sit next to different people each week.

She said: "People come around, they can be themselves, just give them a few hours where they can come together and feel some joy."

When she was asked how she would celebrate, she said she might organise an early Christmas party for her group "the sew-ciopaths".

This year's Volunteer winner was Eltayeb Bashar from Worcester, who has been volunteering since the age of 19.

He has worked to promote inclusion, helping to organise Worcester's first Black History Month, the first celebration of Windrush Day and the first commemoration of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.

He said: "You can't achieve change in a vacuum, you have to understand the stories of where people come from."

Bashar also said: "It's important to provide those other role models so that people can provide a contribution in society."

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