Make a Difference awards honour local heroes

5 hours ago

Catherine Leeand

Andrea Macmillan,BBC Radio Tees

News image — Award winners, from left to right: Catherine Devereux, Pauline Wilson, Carl Trattles, Ian Milburn, Roman, Stuart White, Elizabeth Robinson, Ian Lawrence

BBC Eight award winners. From left to right: Catherine Devereux, a woman with brown bobbed hair, wearing a blue dress with buttons; Pauline Wilson, a woman with short red hair and wearing spectacles and a purple patterned top with a lime green shawl or cardigan in the crook of her left arm; Carl Trattles, a man with a bald or shaven head wearing a grey polo shirt and jeans; Ian Milburn, a balding man with a close cropped beard, wearing a white shirt; Roman, a young teenager with slicked back brown hair, wearing a black suit, white shirt and bow tie; Stuart White, an elderly man with grey hair, wearing a brown shirt and lighter brown trousers; Elizabeth Robinson, a middle-aged woman with long dark hair, wearing a blue dress and over-dress in the same colour; Ian Lawrence, a middle-aged man with short brown hair, wearing a dark jacket over a white shirt and dark trousers. All are holding their awards, which are rectangular purple objects with white lettering. — Award winners, from left to right: Catherine Devereux, Pauline Wilson, Carl Trattles, Ian Milburn, Roman, Stuart White, Elizabeth Robinson, Ian Lawrence

A woman who organises events to combat isolation, a young fundraiser, and the founder of an animal sanctuary were among eight people honoured at a ceremony celebrating their outstanding contribution to the local community.

The BBC Radio Tees Make a Difference Awards heard inspiring stories from across the region of those who went above and beyond to make life better for others.

A panel of celebrity judges, including Strictly's Lewis Cope, Smoggie Queen's Phil Dunning and double jeopardy law campaigner Ann Ming, selected the winners from thousands of nominations.

The awards were presented on Sunday at Hardwick Hall by breakfast show presenter Amy Oakden and the afternoon show's Scott Makin.

Dan Thorpe, executive editor at BBC Radio Tees, said the awards were about celebrating "amazing work".

He said: "It's a privilege to be able to shine a spotlight on the people and groups who make our part of the world that little bit better."

Head of audio commissioning Chris Burns said the calibre of nominations had been "exceptional", adding: "We've been deeply moved by the many stories of compassion, resilience and community spirit.

"We're proud to recognise these extraordinary individuals and give them the appreciation they so richly deserve."

The Volunteer Award – Elizabeth Robinson

Head and shoulder view of a Elizabeth Robinson. She has long greying brown hair pulled back from her face. She is wearing a v-necked top in pale blue with white patterns, and a pendant. — Elizabeth Robinson is passionate about making her village hall a vibrant place

Elizabeth Robinson organises events at Lazenby Village Hall and founded the Ironstone Pantry, which offers a warm meal and seeks to help people who may be isolated.

She remains passionate about making sure the village hall will be a vibrant and space for the community for years to come.

Hartlepool's Strictly Star Lewis Cope said he chose Elizabeth as his winner because "community is super important", adding: "If you have a group of people or a place you can go to, I feel like you are never really alone in the world."

The Young Hero Award – Roman

Roman with slicked-back brown hair stands in front of a banner with BBC Radio Tees written in white letters on a purple background. He is smiling and wearing a black hoodie. — Roman is a "changed lad" since joining a boxing club

Roman, from Hartlepool, said he used to be a bit of a "menace to my mam", but the former mischief-maker is a changed lad since joining a boxing club 18 months' ago.

He is now also the Mini Red Bench Ambassador for a suicide awareness charity and raises funds for them by selling wrist bands and doing raffles and auctions.

He was selected as the winner by Middlesbrough's Matty Campbell, better know as the Gladiator Bionic.

The Great Neighbour Award – Ian Milburn

Head and shoulder view of a Ian Milburn, who has receding close-cropped grey hair and a close cropped beard. He is wearing a blue polo shirt, open at the neck and a microphone in front of him is labelled BBC Radio Tees. — Ian Milburn has helped build a community that looks after others

When Ian Milburn moved into Skelton, his street was in a sorry state with eight empty boarded up houses.

Bu he convinced local landlords to take pride in their properties and raised funds to get CCTV installed in the area.

He has helped to build a community which looks after its residents and celebrates together with big parties in his garden.

The Active Award – Carl Trattles

Head and shoulder view of a Carl Trattles, who is smiling. He has a bald or shaven head and is wearing a white t-shirt and there is a microphone labelled BBC Radio Tees to his right. — Carl Trattles makes sure youngsters from all backgrounds have the same opportunities

Carl Trattles, from Middlesbrough, has dedicated the last four years to Prissick Rovers City under 10s.

It is not just about football for him, though, he makes sure no matter what their backgrounds are, each child has the same opportunities.

The club have run a marathon for Zoe's Place, held a fundraiser to buy children's boots and are now trying to take the team abroad.

The Animal Award – Pauline Wilson

Pauline Wilson smiling. She has red or ginger hair and is wearing spectacles and a purple cardigan over a grey and pink top. Behind her is fencing and a netted-off area, with a hutch or small kennel to her left. — Pauline Wilson's charity rescues and rehomes unwanted pets

Pauline Wilson is the founder for the National Animal Sanctuaries Support League in Bishop Auckland.

The charity rescues and rehomes unwanted or abandoned animals, including cats, dogs, rabbits, and hamsters.

They also foster the pets of people who have fled domestic violence or who find themselves homeless.

The Environmental Award – Stuart White

Head and shoulder view of an Stuart White, who has grey hair and is wearing a blue and white short sleeved checked shirt. He is smiling and appears to be squinting in sunlight. Behind him is the foliage of an evergreen hedge. — Stuart White turned derelict land into a peaceful haven

Stuart White has been working to make the Ringrose Orchard in Skelton a peaceful haven.

Twelve years ago it was a derelict piece of land, but now it is a place for the community to relax and for volunteers and the children of Skelton Primary School to learn new environmental skills.

Middlesbrough's Faraaz Noor, from the Traitors, thanked Stuart and his team for doing "amazing work" and said the world was a better place because of people like them.

The Fundraiser Award – Ian Lawrence

Slightly blurred snapshot of a Victoria Lawrence. She has brown hair in a feathered bob and is wearing a black hoodie over a pale turquoise t-shirt. She is smiling with her eyes closed as if facing bright sunshine. Behind her are railings and the sea shore. — The charity was set up in the name of Ian Lawrence's daughter Victoria

Redcar's Ian Lawrence and his wife Lynne set up Victoria's Wish in memory of one of their daughters to raise money and make a difference for children with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.

It provides help to parents struggling with the costs of hospital visits, specialist equipment and respite holidays to help them create memories as a family.

The Community Group Award (supported by BBC Morning Live) – The Headlight Project 

View of the waist up of women in front of a purple stand with BBC Radio Tees in white lettering. The woman on the left has shoulder-length bobbed hair and is wearing a navy blue dress with a collar and white buttons. The woman on the right has longer brown hair with a centre parting and is wearing a dark blue or black round-necked short sleeved top. Around her neck is a pendant and an orange lanyard. Both women are smiling. — Catherine Devereux and Anne Callum run the Headlight Group, which supports families bereaved by suicide

The Headlight Project was set up in 2018 by Catherine Devereux from Stockton after her husband took his own life.

The charity now supports bereaved families and offers workshops to companies about suicide awareness.

Award judge Phil Dunning, the star and creator of the BBC's Smoggie Queens, said he was in awe of the nominees' work.

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