BBC radio is celebrating local heroes this Christmas

How your local BBC station is rewarding those who Make a Difference

This Christmas, listeners to local BBC radio stations across England will hear daily heart-warming stories about inspirational members of the community who have won a BBC Make a Difference award for their efforts in helping others.

From Monday 26 through to Friday 30 December you can hear these amazing stories daily from 9am, repeated at 9pm.

The BBC’s Make a Difference initiative was launched at the beginning of the Covid pandemic in March 2020, as a virtual noticeboard for those offering help and those needing support. And to date, over 10 million people have got involved.

So this year, the BBC has been celebrating these local heroes at awards ceremonies across the country, each station announcing winners across eight categories — volunteering, fundraising, being a great neighbour, key worker, the together award, the environmental award, community group and caring awards.

Karol Swiacki, from Ukraine Relief in Bournemouth, won the volunteer award through BBC Radio Solent: “I set up the charity to provide relief to refugees two days after the invasion of Ukraine. I dedicate the award to everybody working hard to save lives there.”

Robbie Fletcher won BBC Radio Leicester’s fundraiser category. He raised over £11,500 for Loros Hospice, where his mother was cared for, by playing football matches and running 132 miles. Robbie said: “I know I’m not the only one who’s lost a parent and If someone does something for you that’s helped, you can do something to give back.”

Teaching assistant Karen Roberts won the Radio Manchester key worker award for her dedication to Elms Bank Special Needs School in Bury, where she has worked for nearly two decades. She said: “I’m proud of supporting pupils — to see these young people achieve, then I know I’ve done something right.”

Naturally, there’ll be carols a-plenty from local groups on all of the BBC’s stations over the coming month — including on Friday 23 December at 10pm, when Radio Leeds presenter Sanchez Payne presents Here Our Communities Sing.

At midnight on Christmas Eve, there’s an hour of Make a Difference — Keeping Faith at Christmas, when Louise Hulland of BBC Radio Cambridgeshire shares uplifting, heart-warming stories. These include a mother and son who have both beaten addiction, as well as hearing how Ukrainian refugees are celebrating their first Christmas away from home.

Also on Christmas Eve, there’ll be a look back at the Queen’s faith, as revealed through her Christmas Day messages, along with other faith groups talking about their work with the King.

The Christmas Day service will air at 7am, led by Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, and feature readings and prayers from around the country.

And looking forward to New Year’s Eve at 6pm, 15 years of BBC Introducing will be celebrated, talking about the artists and bands discovered by local BBC radio over the years.