Manchester's Unsung Heroes Honoured at Make a Difference Awards

BBC Radio Manchester revealed the eight winners of its 2026 Make a Difference Awards at Leigh Sports Village, celebrating rescuers, fundraisers and young volunteers.

A mountain rescue volunteer, a "hero" fundraiser and a "lifesaving" bereavement group were among the winners of BBC Radio Manchester's Make a Difference Awards 2026, celebrated at a ceremony held at Leigh Sports Village on Thursday in front of family and friends. Winners were announced in eight categories recognising people who go above and beyond to help others, presented by BBC Radio Manchester's Joe McGrath. The awards were set up across the country to give the public the chance to say thank you to those who go the extra mile to make life better for their local communities. "The dedication, kindness and commitment shown by so many people is truly remarkable," judge and BBC Radio Manchester executive editor Andrew Bowman said.

Among the most striking stories is that of PC Richard Beswick and his search dog Ace of Oldham Mountain Rescue Team, who found a missing walker on Middle Edge Moss after weather turned and darkness fell — an incident that could have been fatal, ending with the man treated and airlifted by a coast guard helicopter. The Young Hero Award went to Yasmin Ali, 12, of Wythenshawe, a junior fundraising manager at The Bideford Community Centre in Baguley who helps distribute food, raises money for Moya Cole Hospice and helped launch a project giving feminine hygiene products to local mums. The Great Neighbour Award honoured Altrincham youth leader Saima Alvi, described as the "go-to person" for anyone in need, who visits the unwell, helps with end-of-life care and has opened her own home to people needing accommodation.

Perhaps the most moving winner was 19-year-old Theo Avraam of Northwich, who took the Environmental Award. Theo, who has Down's syndrome and congenital heart disease, spent the nine months on the urgent waiting list for a mechanical aortic valve focusing on purpose instead of fear: armed with his litter picker, he cleared lay-bys, country lanes, alleyways and car parks every day of the month before his fourth open heart surgery on 29 October, raising £3,822 for Down Syndrome Cheshire. According to the BBC, he returned to litter picking in March, just months after the surgery, and has encouraged friends with disabilities to join his weekly litter pick. The Volunteer Award went to Stalybridge community first responder Andrew Stone, who delivers CPR and defibrillator sessions and leads all seven Tame Valley Scout groups.

The other winners show where these community efforts are headed. Helen Thornhill of Glossop, the Fundraiser Award winner, raised £30,000 in three weeks to save Gamesley Community and Sports Centre; after a full refurbishment it now hosts parenting groups, youth activities, job fairs, a boxing club, fitness classes and a warm space for elderly residents, and she is now leading a push to refurbish the dilapidated football pitch and tennis courts for the first time in more than 15 years. The Community Group Award went to Angels United, a group for bereaved dads that a nominee said changed his life after losing three babies. The Active Award went to Jordan Egerton, founder of "Men of Kin" weekly community runs, who last November completed a daily running challenge for suicide awareness carrying a heavy sandbag as a tribute to those carrying "invisible weight".