BBC Radio Newcastle Make A Difference Awards Honour Local Heroes Newcastle 2026

Key Points

• Award Ceremony: The BBC Radio Newcastle Make a Difference Awards conducted a ceremony at Newcastle Racecourse on Sunday to pay tribute to some local unsung heroes in eight different categories.
• Judging Panel: Winners were selected out of hundreds of nominations made by a judging panel comprising Hairy Biker Si King, Look North presenter Carol Malia, Newcastle United football legend John Anderson, Sunderland AFC star Gary Bennett, and Vikas Kumar.
• Presenters: The award ceremony was presided over by Matt Bailey and Anna Foster of BBC Radio Newcastle.
• The Volunteer Award: Presented to 76-year-old Ray Knox for volunteering for a period of 65 years to help out young people at Grindon Young People’s Centre, Sunderland.
• The Young Hero Award: Presented to 10-year-old Bailey Wilson for raising money amounting to almost £6,000 to provide free support bears to young cancer patients with wounds that resemble the wounds of their loved ones.
• The Great Neighbour Award: Presented to Nick Springfield, who is heading a group of volunteers in a rural Northumberland village and providing hot soup and social company in the cold winter months.

Newcastle (Newcastle Times) September 28, 2026 – Outstanding individuals and community initiatives across the North East have been formally recognised at the annual BBC Radio Newcastle Make a Difference Awards. Held at Newcastle Racecourse on Sunday, the awards ceremony celebrated local residents who have demonstrated exceptional selflessness, dedication, and service. Winners were chosen from hundreds of public nominations by a distinguished panel of local figures. The event highlighted remarkable contributions ranging from six decades of youth leadership to vital fundraising for children affected by cancer.

Who Were the Winners at the BBC Radio Newcastle Make a Difference Awards 2026?

As reported by the BBC, the awards scheme selected winners across eight distinct categories to reflect various forms of community action and local public service. The official list of 2026 award categories and winners includes:

• The Volunteer Award: Ray Knox
• The Young Hero Award: Bailey Wilson
• The Great Neighbour Award: Nick Springfield
• The Active Award: Stephen France
• The Animal Award: Bailey the Dog
• The Environmental Award: Wild Intrigue
• The Fundraiser Award: Malcolm Rolling
• The Community Group Award: Project Santa

The ceremony was presented jointly by BBC Radio Newcastle presenters Matt Bailey and Anna Foster, who introduced each recipient before an audience gathered at Newcastle Racecourse.

How Did Ray Knox Win the Volunteer Award for 65 Years of Service?

As reported by BBC News, Ray Knox received The Volunteer Award in recognition of his multi-decade commitment to youth welfare in Wearside.

Judge Si King stated that Knox had

“dedicated an incredible 65 years to supporting young families and young people in Sunderland.”

According to the official nomination details, Knox first entered the Grindon Young People’s Centre in 1961 as an 11-year-old searching for a game of football. Over the subsequent decades, his role expanded from an enthusiastic young participant to a dedicated youth leader. For the past 30 years, the 76-year-old has served as the chairman of the centre.

Reflecting on his win, Knox stated that he was

“absolutely over the moon, very humbled.”

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What Inspired Bailey Wilson to Win the Young Hero Award?

As reported by BBC News, 10-year-old Bailey Wilson was awarded The Young Hero Award for his charitable campaign supporting children dealing with illness.

The background to his nomination details that when Bailey was six years old, his father underwent surgery to treat a brain tumour. During that period, Bailey was given a support bear to help him cope with the experience. Four years on, Bailey has raised almost £6,000 to provide similar support bears free of charge to children across the North East who are affected by cancer.

Each bear distributed through his initiative is customized with surgical wounds designed to mirror the treatment journey of the child’s loved one.

Outlining his future ambition, Bailey stated:

“I want to try and get worldwide so my bears go out to different hospitals across the world to help people.”

In assessing the category, judge John Anderson stated that he chose Bailey

“because of all the hard work that he’s put in.”

Why Was Nick Springfield Awarded the Great Neighbour Award?

As reported by BBC News, Nick Springfield secured The Great Neighbour Award for establishing essential social support networks within rural Northumberland.

Explaining the decision, judge Vikas Kumar stated he chose Springfield

“because in a small rural village in Northumberland, during the dark winter months, he and his team of volunteers provide warm soup, food, a chat, rolls and cakes to anyone.”

The nomination highlighted that these regular community sessions offer residents the opportunity to connect and engage with neighbours who might otherwise experience isolation or struggle to travel during the winter season.

Expressing his reaction to the honour, Springfield stated he was

“a bit embarrassed to be nominated in the first place… but I’m a winner and it’s completely blown my mind really.”

Who Served on the Judging Panel for the 2026 Ceremony?

As reported by BBC News, the award recipients were chosen from hundreds of nominations submitted by members of the public across the region.

The panel tasked with evaluating the submissions comprised prominent North East figures, including celebrity chef Si King (known as one half of the Hairy Bikers), Look North presenter Carol Malia, former Newcastle United player John Anderson, Sunderland AFC legend Gary Bennett, and local representative Vikas Kumar.

Background of the Make a Difference Scheme

The ‘Make a Difference’ initiative was originally established across BBC Local Radio stations as a direct response to community needs during national crises, evolving into a permanent fixture that highlights voluntary efforts across the United Kingdom. The regional awards run annually across various BBC local stations, aiming to give recognition to unsung heroes who work unpaid or go beyond their professional duties to improve their immediate surroundings.

By inviting public nominations, the awards cover diverse facets of civic life, from environmental conservation and neighbourliness to youth leadership and animal welfare. The Newcastle event represents the regional culmination for communities across Tyne and Wear, County Durham, and Northumberland, reflecting local pride and grassroots social support networks.

Predictions: How This Development Affects the Local Community and Audience

The recognition of local volunteers and community advocates through prominent platforms like the BBC Radio Newcastle Make a Difference Awards is likely to have several tangible effects on the region’s audience and voluntary sector:

1. Boost in Local Volunteering and Charitable Engagement: Highlighting long-term dedication, such as Ray Knox’s 65-year tenure at Grindon Young People’s Centre, serves as a catalyst for local engagement. Observers and residents are more likely to participate in or donate to grassroots youth clubs, neighbour support initiatives, and local charities after seeing their tangible impacts celebrated.
2. Expansion of Youth-Led Initiatives: Bailey Wilson’s goal to expand his support bear charity internationally gains increased credibility through regional awards. The publicity provides small-scale projects with the visibility needed to secure corporate sponsorships, institutional hospital partnerships, and wider public donations.
3. Mitigation of Rural Isolation: Features on grassroots projects like Nick Springfield’s winter soup scheme raise awareness of rural loneliness in places like Northumberland. This coverage encourages neighboring communities to replicate similar low-cost, high-impact social hubs during winter months, fostering stronger rural safety nets.