Cambridgeshire's Make a Difference winners revealed

An eight-year-old boy who saved his mum and brother after a car crash was one of eight community heroes honoured at BBC Radio Cambridgeshire's Make a Difference Awards 2026.

Hugo was handed the Young Hero Award at the ceremony held at The Maltings in Ely on Tuesday evening.

Here are all of this year's winners.

In May 2024, Hugo, his mother and brother, were travelling in a car which was involved in a collision.

Hugo's aunt, Laurinda, said her nephew, despite having broken bones, managed to take his brother's seatbelt off and smashed the door windows so people outside could help.

"Despite him being in severe pain and terrified he made hope happen," she said.

"Hugo will forever be my hero, but to his mum and his big brother, there are no words."

The Butterfly Legacy Project won the Community Group Award, which is supported by BBC One's Morning Live.

The team, from St Ives, raise money for different causes through its love of crafting, including making scrubs and gowns for hospitals.

Lynn and Gideon Pearl started Pearls' Puzzle Library in the Cambridgeshire town of March at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, offering their community different puzzle games.

On Saturday mornings, the pair deliver the boxes to people who rent them out.

Through the scheme, the couple have raised about £12,500 for a local foodbank and an additional £4,700 for other charities.

One of their family members said: "It genuinely warms my heart the good that they have fostered over those six years, and the fundraising they have achieved surpassed even their wildest dreams."

Jonathan Rippon runs a social club called Peterborough InTouch, arranging and leading social events for his local community.

Rippon arranges events weekly, including bowling, badminton, theatre visits and coffee mornings.

One of the social club members said he had "prioritised the community over himself" and "thoroughly deserves this award".

Bernadetta Omondi was awarded the Great Neighbour Award for her help to people in the community.

She is the chair of Black History Month Peterborough, and has helped to run the event since it began in 2013.

Omondi also delivers food and supports vulnerable people locally, by providing both practical help and emotional support.

Project Abundance CIC, based in Peterborough, is a community hub which grows food and connects people with gardening and nature.

The community interest company is based at The Green Backyard, a green space in the city.

It offers workshops and volunteering opportunities, with a focus on teaching hands-on skills and natural food production.

Nick Pugh, from March, was awarded the Animal Award for his work.

He takes his therapy dogs, Finn and Phoebe, each week to schools and hospitals to offer emotional support and reduce anxiety.

One of the schools in Cambridgeshire said Nick had made "a profound difference to pupils who need emotional stability, reassurance and a trusted adult who understands them".

Women's Aid Charity Football Group, based in Peterborough, won the Active Award on Tuesday evening.

The group raises money through football for charities supporting women and children who have been affected by domestic abuse.

It was launched by Georgina, Reece and Hannah in 2023 to fundraise for Peterborough Women's Aid.

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