The BBC has urged UK residents to nominate everyday heroes for this year’s Make a Difference Awards.

In 2021, three Preston organisations won accolades at BBC Radio Lancashire’s awards.

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JJeffect won the Education Award, Let’s Grow Preston won the Community Project of the Year Award, and Here for Humanity received the Companionship Award.

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Chris Burns, Head of Audio and Digital for BBC England, said:  “The last two years have been challenging for everyone. 

“Listeners have contacted us to share the stories of how people have helped each other, and we wanted to find a way of celebrating those unsung heroes and telling those amazing stories.”

Residents who make a difference where they live will be recognised in a new community award scheme run by every local BBC radio station in England.

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The awards recognise remarkable people, marking their achievements and contributions to lives in their communities.

Make A Difference was set up at the start of the first lockdown and is a virtual notice board for those offering help and needing support, with over eight million people interacting across all 39 local BBC radio stations.

Categories cover the unsung heroes of every community from great neighbours, inspirational teachers, volunteers and outstanding key workers.

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There are eight award categories, nominations are now open, and they close on 29 April 2022 at 11pm.

The winners will be announced at the Make a Difference awards hosted by the various local BBC radio stations at a ceremony in September.

The categories are as follows:

• Volunteer – 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.

• Community Group – awarded to a group of people who have helped to genuinely change the lives of others within the community.

• Fundraiser – awarded to an individual or group of people who have gone the extra mile to raise funds for a charity or good cause.

• Carer – awarded to someone who improves the life of an individual or group of people by caring for them on a regular basis.

• Great Neighbour – 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.

• Key Worker – awarded to a key worker who’s gone above and beyond their call of duty to help others.

• Environmental Award – awarded to an individual or group of people who help to make where we live more environmentally friendly.

• 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.

For more information, visit – bbc.co.uk/makeadifference.

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Do you know someone that deserves recognition? Let us know in the comments below.