Heroes who have been making a difference in their communities have been shortlisted as finalists in a community award scheme run by BBC Radio Lancashire.
The Make A Difference Awards were created by the BBC, to recognise remarkable people across the country; marking their achievements and contributions to their communities.
There are eight categories in the awards, and this year, each category for the Lancashire region features at least one individual or organisation from the East of the county - from Blackburn and Hyndburn, to Burnley and Rossendale - which is something East Lancashire should be extremely proud of.
Ranging from great neighbours and inspirational teachers, to thoughtful volunteers and outstanding key workers, the nominees were selected by the public earlier this year, and the winners will be announced in September.
BBC Radio Lancashire’s Breakfast Presenter, Graham Liver, said: “Each and every finalist is amazing in their own way and I’m so pleased that BBC Radio Lancashire is able to shine a light on their hard work and give them some of the recognition they deserve”.
Head of Audio and Digital for BBC England, Chris Burns, said: “A huge thank you to everyone who nominated someone, we have some amazing stories and are looking forward to celebrating our local heroes in September.”
The finalists for each category are as follows:
The Volunteer Award - awarded to an individual who makes a real difference to the community by giving up their time voluntarily to help out a charity or good cause
- Brian Coope Blackpool
- Jack Dinsley Fylde
- Rebecca Ramsay Chorley
- Zack Kerr Hyndburn
The Community Group Award - awarded to a group of people who have helped to genuinely change the lives of others within the community
- Blackburn Youth Darts Academy Blackburn
- Depher Pendle
- Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs Wyre
- Pendle Food For All Pendle
The Fundraiser Award - awarded to an individual or group of people who have gone the extra mile to raise funds for a charity or good cause
- Anne Aitken and Pia Ashton Fylde
- Gilly Atkinson Wyre
- Katie Whitaker Hyndburn
- Sarah Bernasconi-Parsons Blackburn
The Carer Award - awarded to someone who improves the life of an individual or group of people by caring for them on a regular basis
- Angela Whigham Wyre
- Christine Mills Blackpool
- Jenny Fitzsimmons Blackpool
- Mehak Raza Blackburn
The Great Neighbour Award - awarded to an individual or group of people who help to make the neighbourhood or local community a better place to live or work, either on a regular basis or through a single act of kindness
- Jo Hindle-Taylor South Ribble
- Rozeena Khan Burnley
- Sam Pritchard Lancaster
- Tony Bentham Hyndburn
The Key Worker Award - awarded to a key worker who’s gone above and beyond their call of duty to help others
- Brenda Entwistle West Lancashire
- Canon Tony McBride Rossendale
- Celia Sykes Lancaster
- Philip Copeland Preston
The Environmental Award - awarded to an individual or group of people who help to make where we live more environmentally friendly
- Carnforth Wombles Lancaster
- Carter's Charity Primary School Eco Warriors Wyre
- David Hindle Preston
- Muhammad Abdulrashid Blackburn
The Together Award - awarded to an individual or group of people who create real change by breaking down barriers and bringing together people from different walks of life for a common cause
- Blackburn Central High School Blackburn
- Northern Girls Club Burnley
- Pennine Lancashire Community Farm Pendle and Burnley
- Typhoons RUFC Preston
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