Shropshire winners celebrate at Make a Difference awards

Winners celebrate at Make a Difference awards A community cafe where people can be their "genuine selves" and a young cancer survivor who wrote to the King have been named two of the winners of BBC Radio Shropshire's Make a Difference Awards 2024.

The ceremony took place on Friday at The Anstice Hall in Madeley.

It also celebrated the community spirit of a group of e-bike cyclists who offer free shopping deliveries to homes in the local area.

A dedicated young carer and an animal rescue charity helping to build the confidence of those with learning difficulties and disabilities were also among the winners.

The event's guests included the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire Anna Turner, Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley and Telford MP Shaun Davies.

Ellie Taylor, 24, picked up the volunteer award for her work at the Exotic Zoo in Telford.

She refered to her volunteering as her work, taking time to interact with visitors, telling them facts as well as taking care of the animals.

Her sister Abi said sharing information with visitors gave Ellie a big buzz, adding that she loved helping people.

The Boardroom Gaming Cafe took home the community award. The cafe, based in Wellington, is a family-run business which was set up after lockdown.

With community as its cornerstone, the organisation invites local people to come in, and make friends.

Picking up the award, one of the founders Jon Drew said: "We ended up creating something way more than just a game cafe, we literally created a safe heaven for people to come to and be themselves unapologetically."

Ashleigh, who works in the cafe added: "It means so much to so many people and it doesn't matter who you are or what you've been through or where you've come from, everyone's welcome here, and everyone is friends."

The winners of the animal category, Shropshire Cat Rescue, takes in pets from owners who can no longer care for them.

They also welcome school children to their shelter in Bayston Hill, known as the Cat Retirement Village, encouraging them to read to the animals as a way of helping the pupils build their reading confidence.

Marion Micklewright, the shelter manager said: "People with all kinds of disabilities really do benefit from sitting in our tranquil village and enjoying the company of cats."

Jacob, who is autistic, works for the charity Empathy for Special Children in Craven Arms, supporting individuals through activities such as cooking and crafts.

Winner of the carers award, the 17-year-old said he would have benefitted from the kind of support the charity offers when he was younger.

His nominator said his neurodiversity was particularly valuable to the team, because he really "gets" the children.

They added: "It's not just a job for him, he also gives up his own time to volunteer for the organisation, I am very proud of the man he has become."

Receiving his award, Jacob paid a special tribute to his mum, thanking her for all her love and support.

Pat and Colin Snow from Shrewsbury took home the great neighbour award, after they stepped in to help their elderly neighbour, Pam, who lost her sight.

Between them they cook her daily meals and do her shopping.

"Pat immediately produced a meal, and she wouldn't take payment for it," Pam said.

"I couldn't manage without them, I just couldn't."

The Wellington Cycle Delivery Scheme picked up the green award for its work promoting sustainable travel while delivering shopping by e-bike to anyone who requests it.

The service also provides a lifeline for those living alone, as the volunteers stop and have a chat.

Dave Staniforth, one of the group's volunteers, said: "We try to make a difference in our town, and I think if everybody else across Shropshire can make some little difference to their place then the UK will be a better place to live as well."

Ten-year-old Ruby from High Ercall, whose father served in the Royal Logistics Corp, won the fundraiser award for her work raising money for the Royal British Legion.

She sells handmade cards, frames and baubles in aid of the charity, saying that although Remembrance events happen only once a year, veterans needed support "all the time".

Her mum Ellie said: "Her one thought every single day is the veterans. She's so selfless in everything she does.

"She's an inspiration to everyone else."

The bravery award was won by Charlie from Whitchurch, who was diagnosed with cancer when he was just three.

He underwent a nine-hour operation to remove a Wilms tumour in his kidney, followed by 20 weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

He has now been in remission for five years. When King Charles was diagnosed with cancer, Charlie wrote to him with advice.

"I wrote him a letter to encourage him to not give up and to do his best," he said.

Charlie's nominator said: "He's gone through so much in his life for such a young person. He just lives his life completely as he wants to live it. He is just himself in the most amazing way."