Latest news with #MakeaDifference
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Racehorse charity founder appointed MBE
A charity founder who won two BBC awards for her contribution to animal welfare has been appointed an MBE. Grace Muir, CEO of the Wantage Homing Ex-Racehorses Organisation Scheme (HEROS), has been recognised for services to charity, animal welfare and education in the King's Birthday Honours. She had previously won two Make a Difference awards in 2024 for Berkshire and Oxfordshire. Ms Muir said she hoped the honour would "reflect some of my passion and future vision into HEROS to make us do more". HEROS was established in 2006 with a primary focus on ex-racehorse retraining and rehoming, and in 2023 it opened a forest school for students with special education needs. Ms Muir said she had not started the charity "for any honour". "But it is such an honour," she said. "I couldn't do this without my team and if it can reflect some of my passion and future vision into HEROS to make us do more and make this shine the light on racing and the good it's trying to do, then that's what it's for." Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxford Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) CEO Estelle Bailey as also been honoured with an MBE for services to nature's recovery. The charity's achievements include a £500,000 nature restoration project. "It's really not the sort of letter you get every day," Ms Bailey said. "To read the words MBE was just absolutely extraordinary, it took my breath away for a moment." She added that charitable life was "really hard when you're working really for blood, sweat and tears - also not a lot of money". "But it was that moment of recognition for me that was just really super special." Neil Stockton, chair of Oxford Hospital Radio Cherwell, was honoured with a Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for services to hospital radio and to the local community. Mr Stockton said the service - established in 1967 - provided "more than just playing records in a little cupboard in the corner". "It was actually going round the wards talking to patients, making them the stars of the shows, getting out into local communities," he said. "After all these years it's nice to feel that people have noticed that this crackpot that spends all his time in studios wiring and talking to people on the radio is being honoured in this way." You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. HEROS charity BBOWT Radio Cherwell
South Wales Argus
11-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Abergavenny toy share "so proud" of BBC award recognition
Toy Share Abergavenny, founded by Hannah Greys, is one of the 32 finalists in the BBC Cymru Wales Make a Difference Awards 2025. The awards celebrate individuals and groups who make a significant positive impact on their communities. Ms Greys' project is up for the Green Award. Hannah Greys is a finalist for the 'Green' award with BBC Cymru 'Make a Difference' (Image: Hannah Greys) The initiative, which began as a small social media group in March 2022, provides a free toy sharing service for children aged 0-12. It aims to encourage families to buy less and normalise second hand items, thus reducing the environmental impact of toys. In just over three years, more than 22,000 toys have been offered for free through the group. This not only helps families but also prevents these toys from ending up in landfill sites. Toy Share Abergavenny is up for an award with BBC Cymru 'Make a Difference' (Image: Toy Share Abergavenny) Ms Greys said: "I'm so proud that Toy Share Abergavenny has been shortlisted for the Green Award at the BBC Cymru Make a Difference Awards 2025. "It really does mean the world to see the impact of a simple idea – a free toy-sharing group – recognised for the difference it's making to both the environment and our local community." The initiative was born out of Ms Greys' personal experiences and observations. Before launching Toy Share, her own family faced unexpected financial hardship, during which she met many other parents struggling in silence. This inspired her to create a transparent, non-judgemental, and welcoming group where families could find support. Ms Greys added: "Being green shouldn't have to be a luxury. "It's something we can all do. "Toy Share Abergavenny is warm, non-judgemental and welcoming. "It's a space where no child has to miss out. "Where giving and receiving toys for free is just part of everyday life. "Where we celebrate second-hand, instead of seeing it as second-best." Toy Share Abergavenny is one of the four finalists in the Green Award category. The BBC Cymru Wales Make a Difference Awards 2025 received over 700 nominations. The finalists were selected based on their exceptional contributions to their communities. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on September 20 in Cardiff. The judging panel includes prominent BBC presenters such as Katie Owen, Lauren Price, Gethin Jones, Owain Wyn Evans, Bronwen Lewis, Iolo Williams, Olivia Breen, and Aleighcia Scott. The other categories include Carer, Community Group, Fundraiser, Great Neighbour, Key Worker, Unsung Hero, and Volunteer. Ms Greys encourages those interested in getting involved in Toy Share Abergavenny to find them on Facebook. She said: "Together, we're proving that sharing really is a greener, kinder and fairer way to play."
Daily Record
07-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Over £470 raised at Guide Dogs fundraiser hosted by South Lanarkshire Council in East Kilbride
Councillor Joe Fagan arranged the Make Every Cuppa Count event on behalf of the council's Touch a Life, Make a Difference appeal. Over £470 was raised at a Guide Dogs fundraiser hosted by South Lanarkshire Council at East Kilbride United, as the charity called for EK locals to join their pack. Councillor Joe Fagan arranged the Make Every Cuppa Count event on behalf of the council's Touch a Life, Make a Difference appeal. The event, supported by Guide Dogs' Hamilton Fundraising Group volunteers, consisted of a bake sale, information stands, Guess the Name of the Dog, and a raffle – and of course an opportunity to meet life-changing guide dogs. Community fundraising manager at Guide Dogs Sandi Johnson, said: 'We'd like to thank East Kilbride United for hosting us at their venue, and donating a number of raffle prizes on the day, which helped us reach our total. 'We're grateful to be a nominated charity for the Provost Margaret Cooper's Touch a Life, Make a Difference appeal, and thank Joe for promoting the event and also arranging raffle prizes for it. A big thank you to everyone who attended the event on the day.' Councillor Fagan added: 'The coming together of these charitable initiatives has helped us raise funds for a good cause and raise awareness about the difference a guide dog can make. 'As ever, the generosity of East Kilbride shone through and the Touch a Life, Make a Difference appeal will continue throughout the year. I want to thank everyone who gave generously and volunteered and East Kilbride United for letting us use their superb facilities.' If you missed the event, Guide Dogs will be back in East Kilbride on Tuesday, May 20, hosting an open puppy class for locals interested in volunteering with Guide Dogs. The event, including watching part of the class, and the opportunity for tea and to hear about the Puppy Raising role, takes place at The Dug and Bone, 55 Nasmyth Avenue, East Kilbride, from 11.30am to 1.30pm. Booking is essential so email Please note, pet dogs are not permitted. Erin McArthur, Puppy Development Advisor for Guide Dogs, said: 'We're really looking forward to welcoming new volunteer puppy raisers to our guide dog family. 'This is an opportunity to find out more about what's involved with raising a guide dog puppy. Please come along and meet our fantastic local team of staff and volunteers to find out first-hand how you can change people's lives.' Staff will be on hand to chat to locals about becoming part of the pack, as well as an opportunity to meet the pups and their volunteer puppy raisers. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
BBC News
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Tom Grennan encourages mental health discussions
The singer Tom Grennan said he now found it easier to talk about mental health issues to his friends than when he was 29-year-old Bedford-born singer made the comment during a conversation with a winner of the BBC's Make a Difference Awards (MAD) which recognises ordinary people who have made a difference to their communities. Talking to MAD winner, Kevin Willows, who helped set up a bereavement walking group, Grennan revealed the importance of walking to him. "If I'm ever feeling like I want to get something off my chest, if it's with friends, or my wife or my parents, I always say, 'can we go for a walk?'" said Grennan. Discussing the importance of walking and exercise, Grennan said "a walk can save a life, talking can save a life".The son of a builder revealed how growing up in Bedford meant he often found it tricky to navigate his emotional side."Little towns are very much like alpha (towns), with boys anyway, nobody wants to seem like they're weak," he was his mother who encouraged him to express his emotions, telling him "if you've got emotions then let them out, because letting them out is always the best thing". 'Lots of tears' Grennan described how on a return visit to his home town, he had open conversations with his friends about "our feelings, about what was going on and there was a lot of tears, there was a lot of laughter, those barriers were breaking down," he said."I think as friends we became closer and cut the rubbish out. "And as grown men now we can sit down and talk about what we're going through and how we can lend a hand."Grennan said being the victim of an unprovoked attack and hospitalised with a broken jaw while at university was when he first encountered being depressed."It ruined me (the attack), why did it happen to me, why did these people not like me?," he questioned at the time. It was by joining a music group, where he met his best friend, and talking as well as singing which helped him recover from the trauma. The BBC Make A Difference Awards celebrate those who make life better for others in our communities. Listen to the full broadcast of Tom Grennan meeting some of the Make a Difference heroes with Gaby Roslin. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Fox News
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Caitlin Clark denies claims she talks trash in WNBA, admits she'll only do it in self-defense
WNBA phenom Caitlin Clark has provided moments of awe and antagonism on the basketball court. Clark's rookie year in 2024 and the end of her college career saw several confrontational moments with other players, sometimes including illegal hits on Clark. Clark's fans levied much of the criticism for those situations against the other players involved, but some figures within women's basketball accused Clark of being a trash talker. Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon suggested that Clark talks more trash than any other player in the WNBA. "They jaw at each other, nobody talks more crap than Caitlin, too," Hammon said at a June press conference. UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma, during an interview on the "Make a Difference With Phil Martelli" podcast in November, said the reason why players go after Clark is because of her trash talk. "Now she talks a lot of s--- on the court," he continued of Clark. "When people talk about the WNBA, 'Why are these people beating up on Caitlin Clark?' Because she talks a lot of s--- on the court. That's what makes her good. So she's not like this angel walking out there and everybody else is beating her up. Nah. She has got a lot to say." After an infamous hit against Clark by Chicago Sky player Chennedy Carter in June, former WNBA player Chiney Ogwumike said during an appearance on ESPN that Clark was trash-talking before the hit occurred. "The WNBA has always been a physical league. ... And on the full sequence of that play, Caitlin was talking, and in this league, no one backs down to trash talk," Ogwumike said. However, Clark suggested that all of these claims that she talks trash are false during an interview on Netflix's "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman." "People say that I talk trash, I don't," Clark said. Clark also added that opposing players don't talk trash to her either. "No one really talks trash to me, honestly, I swear to you. Maybe it will happen next year," Clark said. Clark also explained the circumstances that would prompt her to talk trash and admitted a time when it happened. "The only thing is, if somebody says something to me, I probably will go back at you, but I'm not going to really start it. "Somebody that did talk trash was [former Phoenix Mercury star] Diana Taurasi. But it was all in good fun. We were playing them at home, and she fouled me, like, pretty hard, kind of from behind. And I turned around, I said to the ref, 'It's intentional, you didn't go for the ball,' [and] she, like, came back at me, and I was like, 'All right, do it again.' And we just kind of kept going back and forth at each other, and then we went down to the other end." Clark added that later in the game, Taurasi told Clark, "I just love you." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
