Community heroes honoured at BBC awards

Volunteers, campaigners and community groups tackling issues from knife crime to disability support have been honoured at BBC Radio WM's Make a Difference Awards 2026.

Winners recognised at a ceremony at Birmingham Hippodrome included a hospice volunteer who set up a support group for bereaved men and a pony that has helped young people with disabilities gain confidence and independence.

The awards, launched during the Covid-19 pandemic, celebrate people making a difference in their local communities.

Mike Nash, a volunteer at Marie Curie Hospice, received the Volunteer Award.

As well as supporting the hospice's wellbeing hub, he founded the Men's Shed group for men who are terminally ill, caring for loved ones or who are bereaved.

Nash, who is bereaved himself, also helped raise £30,000 to build a meeting shed and accessible toilet for the group and regularly phones or visits members who are unable to attend.

"It can be emotional and very sad," he said.

"We lost a member recently but we hope we made him feel comfortable while he was with us and that's what it's all about."

The Animal Award went to Dillon, a pony at Parklands Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) in Staffordshire.

Previously used for vaccine research, Dillon has spent more than 11 years helping children and young people with physical and learning disabilities.

Now aged 33, he has helped participants achieve things that once seemed impossible, including supporting a child with Down's syndrome and limited mobility to pull himself up to stand.

"Dillon is gentle and instinctively shows kindness," said Alison, who runs Parklands RDA.

"For people living with disabilities, that understanding makes a world of difference."

Professional boxer Ben Collins, who volunteers at Team Pumpkin Boxing Club in Brierley Hill, won the Active Award.

The 21-year-old visits schools and invites young people to the gym to discuss issues ranging from anti-social behaviour to gang violence.

After three of the club's boxers were mugged at knifepoint, he helped secure a weapon surrender bin outside the gym, where more than 200 weapons have since been handed in.

"It's nice to see what people have done for me in the past to get me to where I am now," he said.

"I'm giving a little bit back. Really this award goes to everyone, it's a team effort."

The Community Group Award was presented to Alive Wellness, which works to prevent knife crime through mentoring, counselling and workshops for young people.

Founder Laura Mace said she was inspired to act after her eldest son was mugged at knifepoint while walking home from school.

"It's amazing to help young people, see the smile on their faces and to know that they have someone there for them means the world," she said.

"The kids mean the world to me, I see them as my kids and I'm so proud of them all."

The Young Hero Award was won by the Matrix Project at St Michael's Church of England High School in Rowley Regis.

The group of boys, aged between 11 and 16, challenge harmful stereotypes around masculinity and encourage conversations about mental health.

A highlight of their work came when the Prince of Wales visited the school in 2024.

A spokesperson said: "I don't think many people would really realise how significant it is, especially for boys growing up and of course we do a lot of stuff around stereotypes."

Environment Award winner Neelam Ulhaq was recognised for her work in improving green spaces in Birmingham, particularly in Sparkhill and Hall Green.

She organised volunteers to clean up Blackberry Way woodland after it became a dumping ground and persuaded local businesses to invest in waste bins.

"I love our green spaces and I knew more needed to be done so rather than complaining about it, I wanted to fix it," she said.

Sylvia Enefer, from Wolverhampton, received the Fundraiser Award for her work supporting the JW Hunt Cup, one of the UK's oldest amateur charity football tournaments.

After suffering a stroke in 2018, she became involved with the charity and helped keep the competition alive during the pandemic, writing 60 letters by hand to raise £4,000.

"Out of these lovely people out there, who have done all of these wonderful things and you've picked me? I can't believe it," she said.

"I started off with raising £4,000 and now we're almost at half a million."

Carole Sparke collected the Great Neighbour Award for her support of residents living in 54 flats at Dominic Drive.

For 25 years, she has helped neighbours attend hospital appointments, shopped for those who are unwell and supported disabled residents in accessing benefits and services.

More recently, she has helped sort rubbish and recycling during Birmingham's ongoing bin strike.

The BBC was told in her nomination: "Every estate needs a Carole."

Accepting the award, she said: "We keep the work going so I get to know everyone that lives there."

"I go every day except for Christmas as it's closed."

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