People
By Josh Bell, Charities and Schools Correspondent Donate For Defib Weston-super-Mare has been crowned the overall winner of the BBC Make A Difference Awards 2025 – Community Category, hosted by BBC Radio Bristol. Founded in August 2023, the project has rapidly grown into a multi-award-winning community initiative, gaining recognition from local
Sport
By Community Correspondent Wind, rain, and thunder did nothing to deter the enthusiasm of the 40 teams who took part in playing in the 14th annual charity boules tournament run by Taunton-based developers Summerfield, raising £3,500. The tournament and lunch, held at Taunton Deane Cricket Club, was in aid
Animals
By Charities Correspondent A retired police dog who spent five years as an explosive detection dog for Norfolk and Suffolk Police has found a second career during retirement – helping her new owner teach canine first aid. Seven-year-old RPD Izzy worked at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk as well as other
People
By Charities Correspondent A heartfelt new single titled “Turning Pink and Blue” has been released by the Heaven’s Playground BLAW Choir, a local charity group formed to raise awareness and support for families affected by baby loss. The choir, made up of five women and one man from Crewe,
People
By Community Correspondent Carol Dyer from Gosport is preparing for an extraordinary journey this September, travelling with her 18-year-old son Caleb and her 81-year-old father Neil Salter to Jinja, Uganda, with Christian disability charity Through the Roof. They are going on a mission for our Wheels for the World project
People
By Community Correspondent A former employee of The Leprosy Mission has completed the gruelling London–Edinburgh–London cycling challenge—this time, entirely solo. Chris Macqueen, a father-of-two from Uxbridge, set out on the endurance ride at the start of August, joining the official event that draws over 2,000 riders
Charity
By Charities Correspondent Staff from Bristol-based Vanguard Self Storage have completed a 100-mile charity bike ride, raising £1,602 for two local organisations. This marks the team’s fifth consecutive annual fundraising challenge, bringing their total contribution to more than £8,000 for South West charities. This year’s ride
Charity
By Josh Bell, Schools and Charities Correspondent A brand-new, community-accessible defibrillator has been officially launched at Lew’s Barbers Shack, thanks to the generosity of the Dedman Family, who funded the life-saving equipment in loving memory of Royston “Roy” Dedman. As part of this heartfelt donation, a Bleed Kit has
People
By Charities Correspondent A determined team of cyclists from Bristol Airport have successfully completed a gruelling 160-mile bike ride from The Brunel Museum in London to Bristol Airport, raising an incredible £87,000 for the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC), the Airport’s Charity Partner. The two-day challenge, held
People
By Charities Correspondent At just 14 years old, Summer has already faced more than most do in a lifetime. Diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of four, she endured two and a half years of intense chemotherapy and hospital stays. In 2022, her cancer returned, this time more aggressive and
Animals
By Charities Correspondent Frontline staff from several animal welfare organisations took time out from their demanding roles to take part in a range of wellbeing sessions at The Donkey Sanctuary in Devon recently. The group, which included staff from Flicka, Ash, Margaret Green and the Mare and Foal Sanctuary, were
Sport
By Charities Correspondent Ten-year-old Jemima has just completed an incredible fundraising challenge — raising over £3,400 for the Mintridge Foundation, a charity that helps young people build confidence and develop a healthy relationship with sport. Most of Jemima’s runs took place across Cornwall, and her determination has captured the
People
By Josh Bell, Schools and Charitable Correspondent What do you get when an award-winning filmmaker turns his lens on a local mission to save lives? Something truly unforgettable. Ali Churchill, the creative mind behind Ali Churchill Films, is known for telling raw, emotional, and powerful human stories. Now, he’s
People
By Charities Correspondent There was plenty of fun and laughter as the Zest young adults and their families enjoyed a fantastic summer evening at Felixstowe beach this August, as part of the monthly Zest X-Change. On Tuesday 5 August, the group took part in a range of seaside-themed games and
People
By Charities Correspondent Lavender Green Flowers, one of the UK’s top florists known for gracing events from Wimbledon to Ascot, is turning luxury blooms into life-changing support for families in need. A certified B Corp, Lavender Green is deepening its commitment to sustainability by donating leftover flowers to two
People
By Community Correspondent Local housebuilder Barratt David Wilson Homes South Wales has announced a £14,000 donation from the Barratt Foundation, to The Gathering Place — a Methodist church and community centre in St Athan, Vale of Glamorgan. The donation will fund a huge Wi-Fi upgrade for the local hub — ensuring