Local heroes honoured at Make a Difference Awards

People who make life better for others have been honoured at this year's BBC Radio York Make a Difference Awards.

The awards were set up during the Covid pandemic to recognise the efforts of unsung heroes.

Eight winners from the region were celebrated at the ceremony, including a 90-year-old table tennis player, a firefighting farmer and an organ recipient who represented Team GB.

The awards were presented by BBC Radio York's Georgey Spanswick and Joanita Musisi at York Racecourse.

Norma Jenner, who set up a table tennis club to reduce social isolation, received the Volunteer Award.

The 90-year-old, from Kirby Hill near Boroughbridge, plays and teaches the sport, as well as running a bridge club and volunteering at Oxfam twice a week.

After winning her award, she said: "I was inspired by that lovely song, 'what have you done today to make you feel proud?'"

Norma has volunteered throughout her life and moved to the region after her husband died.

Not knowing anyone in the area, she decided to set up these groups to help others and make friends.

"They support me all the way, all the activities are full to bursting," she said.

"It's marvellous because when I retire, they will all go on happily."

Chris Ford, a farmer from Glaisdale in the North York Moors, won the Great Neighbour Award.

In August 2025, when a wildfire hit the moors, he led a group of farmers to help the fire service get enough water to bring the blaze under control.

Chris worked tirelessly for six weeks to support the fire team along with other colleagues.

Collecting the award on his behalf, his mum Vicky Ford said: "I did not know what he was doing at the time. I think if I had, I'd have probably gone and dragged him home!

"It was very dangerous work that they were all doing, I can't be prouder."

Chief Fire Officer Jonathan Dyson said Chris "went that extra mile throughout".

"He assisted us in communicating with all the farmers, locating assets for us and then helping the communications about where we were needed," he said.

"It was brilliant all the way through and it's richly deserved."

Louise Prashad, from Raskelf near Easingwold, received the Active Award.

While 37 weeks pregnant with twins, her liver went into failure and she received an emergency transplant. Louise's babies, Mia and Leo, sadly died.

Ten years later, Louise has taken part in the Transplant Games, representing Team GB, and recently ran from Birmingham to Devon to meet and thank her donor's family.

Louise said: "This is dedicated to my twins, Mia and Leo, and Sarah, the lady who saved my life, and my donor family.

"I'm just over the moon to get to honour them like this.

"I always say that when you go through trauma, it either makes or breaks you and I wanted to bring some light out of a really dark situation."

Volunteer Award - an individual who makes a notable difference to their community by giving their time voluntarily to help others: Norma Jenner in Kirby Hill, near Boroughbridge

Young Hero Award - someone under 16 who has made a positive impact in their community or achieved something exceptional: Autumn Boyle, from Helperby

Great Neighbour Award - an individual who helps to make the neighbourhood a better place to live or work, either on a regular basis or through a single act of kindness: Chris Ford in Glaisdale

Active Award - an individual or group of people who have used physical activity or sport as a way of improving the lives of those in their community: Louise Prashad, from Raskelf near Easingwold

Animal Award - an animal that improves the life of an individual or group of people, or a person or group of people working with animals to improve animal welfare: Bronte the Therapy Dog in York

Environmental Award - an individual or group of people who help to make where they live more environmentally friendly and better for nature: Darren Mancrief and Grow Scarborough

Fundraiser Award - an individual or group of people who have gone the extra mile to raise funds for a good cause: Cain North, from York

Community Group Award - awarded to a group of people who have helped to genuinely change the lives of others within their community: Graham Porter and Dads Behaving Madly in Scarborough.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.