Local Heroes Celebrated at BBC Radio York Make a Difference Awards

Three people from the Ure Life area have been recognised among this year’s BBC Radio York Make a Difference Award winners, celebrating the remarkable contribution they make to their local communities.

People who dedicate their time, energy, and kindness to making life better for others have been celebrated at this year’s BBC Radio York Make a Difference Awards – and there was plenty of local success to celebrate.

Among the eight regional winners were three people from the Ure Life area: 90-year-old volunteer Norma Jenner from Kirby Hill near Boroughbridge, young hero Autumn Boyle from Helperby, and Louise Prashad from Raskelf near Easingwold.

The awards were originally established during the Covid pandemic to shine a light on the region’s unsung heroes and recognise people making a positive difference in their communities.

Norma Jenner – Volunteer Award

Taking home the Volunteer Award was 90-year-old Norma Jenner, who lives in Kirby Hill near Boroughbridge. Norma has spent much of her life volunteering and continues to be remarkably active in her community. She plays and teaches table tennis, runs a bridge club, helps with a Scrabble club, and volunteers at Oxfam twice a week. What a busy lady!

After moving to the area following the death of her husband, Norma didn’t know anyone locally. Rather than allowing that to isolate her, she created opportunities for herself and others to meet, make friends, and enjoy shared activities. She set up her table tennis club as a way of tackling loneliness and social isolation, and the result has been a thriving community around her clubs, with Norma describing the groups as “full to bursting”.

Reflecting on her award, Norma said she had been inspired by the question from the song What Have You Done Today To Make You Feel Proud? The hit song by Heather Small was often quoted regularly on sitcom, Miranda.

Norma’s approach to volunteering is clearly about much more than simply giving her time – it is about creating communities that will continue to support one another, and reducing loneliness. She also mentions how being around people and doing activities like table tennis is great for lessening the onset of dementia.

“It’s marvellous because when I retire, they will all go on happily.” (Source: BBC Make a Difference: York)

At 90, Norma is certainly showing that retirement doesn’t have to mean slowing down! And, we’re glad, because it is clear that Norma has done so much for reducing loneliness amongst our local seniors. No wonder Boroughbridge seems to have so many clubs for seniors – she’s involved in Bridge Club, Scrabble Club, and Table Tennis Club!

See Norma’s 90-second BBC Make a Difference: York interview.

Autumn Boyle – Young Hero Award

There was more local success in the Young Hero Award, which went to Autumn Boyle from Helperby, aged 4, who has taken up kickboxing after a stem cell transplant.

The BBC Make a Difference York Young Hero award recognises someone under 16 who has made a positive impact in their community or achieved something exceptional. Autumn’s recognition is another reminder that age is no barrier to making a difference, with young people across our local communities playing an increasingly important role in helping others and contributing to village and town life.

Autumn appears incredibly brave and enthusiastic. See her BBC Made a Difference: York interview.

Louise Prashad – Active Award

The Active Award went to Louise Prashad from Raskelf near Easingwold, whose extraordinary story has seen her turn unimaginable personal tragedy into a mission to help and inspire others.

While 37 weeks pregnant with twins, Louise suffered liver failure and needed an emergency transplant. Tragically, her babies, Mia and Leo, died. Ten years later, Louise has used sport and physical activity to honour their memory and celebrate the gift of life she was given through her transplant.

She has competed in the Transplant Games representing Team GB, and recently undertook an incredible run from Birmingham to Devon to meet and thank her donor’s family. Louise dedicated her Make a Difference Award to her twins, Mia and Leo, as well as Sarah and her donor family.

“When you go through trauma, it either makes or breaks you and I wanted to bring some light out of a really dark situation.”

Her story is a powerful example of how sport can become a way of connecting people, raising awareness, and finding hope after extraordinary adversity. To accomplish so much out of tragedy is an incredible feat.

Another Boroughbridge finalist to celebrate

The local success didn’t stop with the three winners.

Boroughbridge’s Laura Hutton was also named a BBC Radio York Make a Difference Awards finalist, recognised for her extensive volunteering and fundraising work. Laura has been involved in numerous efforts to support people in the local community, including helping collect essential items for people experiencing homelessness in Boston Spa and raising money for charitable causes.

Her nomination highlights the incredible number of people across Boroughbridge and the surrounding villages who quietly give their time and energy to help others.

Read our full feature on Laura Hutton and her volunteering and fundraising work here.

Celebrating our local difference-makers

From a 90-year-old community volunteer bringing people together, to a young person making a difference and a transplant recipient using sport to inspire others, this year’s awards showcase the incredible people who help make our communities what they are.

It is wonderful to see Boroughbridge, Helperby and Easingwold represented among the winners – and to see another Boroughbridge local recognised as a finalist.

These are the stories that remind us that making a difference doesn’t always require grand gestures. Sometimes it starts with simply giving your time, creating a place for people to come together, or finding a way to turn personal experiences into something positive for others.

Congratulations to Norma, Autumn, Louise and Laura – and to everyone across our local communities who gives their time to make life a little better for someone else.