Unsung heroes recognised at Wiltshire’s Make a Difference Awards

Groups helping to educate young people about knife crime, and a mother campaigning for improved safety for women are among the winners of community awards in Wiltshire.

Eight categories saw hundreds of nominations to BBC Radio Wiltshire’s Make a Difference Awards.

Celebrity judges picked the winners, including TV presenter James May, rugby player Jonny May and Longleat’s Marchioness of Bath, Emma Thynn.

The Animal Award was a new category for 2024 and won by Norman the donkey for bringing smiles and calm to special educational needs schools and care homes.

Norman is part of Chloe’s Mobile Farm, from north Wiltshire.

He was described as a “legend” by the judge.

The winners of the volunteer category were two women called Jordan Turner and Danyelle King from Swindon.

They run a self-funded programme called Change Lives, No To Knives after Ms Turner’s brother was killed in 2021. She dedicated the award to him.

Ms King said: “This is for every young person who trusts me and Jordan.”

The Community Group Award has gone to Owen’s World Foundation in Swindon which was launched after 18-year-old Owen Dunn was fatally stabbed in 2022.

James May chose the foundation as the winner and said: “His death was a tragedy but if one life is saved by the work being done in his memory, his legacy will be an enduring one.”

David Chalk from Salisbury has raised £140,000 over 17 years for the Stars Appeal, the charity for Salisbury District Hospital. He won the Fundraiser Award.

He goes to the hospital four days a week, volunteering for six hours at a time.

The Award for Bravery went to Elaine Pickford from Swindon.

Her daughter Sian O’Callaghan was killed by Christopher Halliwell in 2011 when she got into his taxi in the town.

Since then, she has campaigned for improved safety for women, including for legislation for more safety checks for drivers.

The awards ceremony was held at the De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel.

The other award winners were:

• The Green Award: The Wiltshire Digital Drive, Melksham, for a huge push to reduce technology waste and provide refurbished laptops for families who need them

• The Carer Award: Gale Louw, Salisbury, for her work at Milford House Care Home, where she creates special occasion lunches for residents

• The Great Neighbour Award: Hannah Coates, Swindon, who has created a gym that is comfortable for everyone to use, with special adaptations such as not having any mirrors