Make a Difference: Hampshire, Dorset and IoW

Earlier this year we asked you to nominate someone for a BBC Radio Solent Make a Difference Award for 2026.

The Awards celebrate people and animals doing amazing things to help others across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight.

We received over 400 nominations, our 32 finalists are below:

The Active Award: Awarded to an individual or group of people who have used physical activity or sport as a way of improving the lives of those in their community.

Finalists:
• John Molloy from Havant
• Fareham Running Club
• The Artful Dodgers Boxing Academy in Portsmouth
• Antony Waghorn from Southampton

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The Animal Award: Awarded to either a remarkable animal that improves people’s lives, or an individual or group of people who improve the welfare of animals.

Finalists:
• Alfred the Australian labradoodle from Christchurch
• Nelly from Netley Abbey
• Conor Thorne from Southampton
• Angela Etherington from Portsmouth

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The Community Group Award: Awarded to a group of people who have helped to change the lives of others within their community.

Finalists:
• Breakout Youth in Southampton
• Parent Support Link in Southampton
• The 4Ps Project at Vectis Radio in Newport
• The Saturday Kids Zone in Portsmouth

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The Environmental Award: Awarded to an individual or group of people who improve or conserve their local environment.

Finalists:
• Guerrilla Gardeners from Sandbanks in Poole
• Monday Morning Volunteers, part of Wimborne in Bloom
• Victoria Road Gardeners in Woolston
• Bedhampton Volunteers

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The Fundraiser Award: Awarded to an individual or group of people who have gone the extra mile to raise funds for a good cause.

Finalists:
• Ann Blake from Fordingbridge
• Les Heyhoe from Gosport
• Lucy Chillery-Watson is from Bournemouth
• Russell Mathews from Fareham

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The Great Neighbour Award: Awarded to an individual who helps to make the neighbourhood a better place to live or work, either on a regular basis or through a single act of kindness.

Finalists:
• Nancy Weatherson from Milford on Sea
• Helen Pain from Southampton
• Irene Ferguson from Bournemouth
• Carole Taylor from Poole

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The Volunteer Award: Awarded to an individual who makes a notable difference to the community by giving their time voluntarily to help others.

Finalists:
• Charlotte Blanchard from Bournemouth
• Dan Carter from Southampton
• Dawn Haig-Thomas from the Isle of Wight
• Billy Shannon from Portsmouth

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The Young Hero Award: awarded to an individual or group of young people under 16 who have made a positive impact in their community or achieved something exceptional.

Finalists:
• 15-year-old Jacob from Dorset
• 7-year-old Teddy from Southampton
• 10-year-old Frankie from Bournemouth
• 11-year-old Harrison from Christchurch

If you’re not a finalist… please don't be disheartened. We received hundreds of fantastic entries, and we think you are all amazing.

The winners will be announced at our BBC Radio Solent Make a Difference Awards Ceremony in September.

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At BBC Radio Solent we love to champion people and groups who are doing good things in communities across the South.

If you have a story or would like to share information about a project or group that's helping others across Hampshire, Dorset or the Isle of Wight people do please get in touch.

Email: radiosolent@bbc.co.uk and put "Make a Difference" in the subject line.

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