Eight local community heroes have been honoured at this year’s BBC Radio Manchester Make a Difference awards.

For the second year running more than 10,000 local radio listeners from communities across England nominated an individual or organisation from their local area for an award.

This year’s winners were presented with their accolades at the special Make a Difference awards ceremony at The Monastery Manchester hosted by BBC Radio’s Anna Jameson on Friday 22nd September. In total there are 38 ceremonies taking place across the county, culminating on Sunday, 4 October.

The aim of the awards is to shine a light on the everyday, unsung heroes who go that extra mile for others in their own community. From the thousands of nominations, a shortlist was drawn up and a winner chosen by a special panel of judges from their local region.

The nominees were then considered by panels of judges from or with links to the area including actor, Chris Bisson; quiz master, Jenny Ryan;  chef, John Whaite and TV and Hollywood actor, Kelsey Grammer, who helped judge in Bristol.

There are eight awards categories and this year’s winners are:

Awarded to an individual who makes a notable difference to the community by giving up their time voluntarily to help out a good cause.

 

Awarded to a group of people who have helped to genuinely change the lives of others within the community.

Awarded to an individual or group of people who have gone the extra mile to raise funds for a charity or good cause.

Awarded to someone who improves the life of an individual or group of people by caring for them on a regular basis.

Awarded to an individual or group of people who help to make the neighbourhood or local community a better place to live or work, either on a regular basis or through a single act of kindness.

Awarded to an individual or group of people who has shown outstanding courage, defiance and duty in the face of perceived danger, fear or difficulty.

Awarded to an individual or group of people who help to make where we live more environmentally friendly and better for nature

Awarded to an individual or group of people who inspire diverse communities to come together.  They do this by creating real change and breaking down barriers, bringing people from different walks of life together for a common cause.

At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Make a Difference became a virtual noticeboard for local communities across England, putting those in need of help in touch with those able to offer it. Post-pandemic, the awards are still as important as ever as the local heroes help those impacted by the cost-of-living crisis and other issues that deeply affect our communities.

 Andrew Bowman, Editor at BBC Radio Manchester, said: “I’m so proud that we’re able to celebrate the very best of what Greater Manchester is about with the BBC Radio Manchester Make A Difference Awards. The stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, often in difficult circumstances or for little reward are so inspiring to hear. Greater Mancunians do so much to support their neighbours, families, communities, and people they don’t even know that live here, this is our chance as a Radio Station to thank them. “

Chris Burns, Controller Local Audio Commissioning said: “The Make a Difference Awards are always an amazing experience, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the individuals who have gone above and beyond to help their communities.  We always really enjoy hearing the nominees and winners’ stories and sharing them with our listeners. A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate someone and a huge congratulations to our winners.”

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