TWO Frome organisations were crowned as winners at the BBC Radio Somerset Make a Difference Awards, with five other Frome finalists being awarded trophies for their work in supporting the community.
The Good Heart won the Community Group category for spreading kindness, and coordinator of the Community Fridge, Terri Pitts, won the Green Award for her work in setting up the fridge which was the first of its kind in the country.
Other Frome organisations that were finalists were Birth Talk and Dogs for Health (Community category); Loop Frome (Green Initiative); volunteer, Maureen Wood, for We Hear You (WHY) (Volunteer of the Year); and Shirley Wort and her husband, who were highly commended in the Fundraiser of the Year category for their 22 years of fundraising for Cardiac Risk in the Young, Julian Wort Memorial Fund.
Eight awards were handed out at the awards ceremony that took place on Friday 22nd September at Haines Motor Museum in Sparkford, recognising people who love to make life better for others.
Coordinator for the Community Fridge, Terri said, “It was a fantastic evening of celebration. It was very overwhelming to even be nominated, let alone win an award. I put my heart and soul into the community fridge to make it what it is today. I would love others to be inspired to set up community fridges and stop food waste and also stop people being hungry.”
Alison Murdoch, director of The Good Heart, said, “It was the most extraordinary evening and hats off to the BBC, they created such a treat for everybody. We started with a glass of Prosecco in a room full of red cars and then we went to this room with amazing lighting. The big line was that everybody there on the night was a winner.
“Our first response was complete shock and we felt a bit like everybody should have won but I have to say, I woke up the next day thinking this is such a confirmation of all the good things the volunteers have done. I understand why people can’t talk at the Oscars because you’re just so overwhelmed. It was such a heartwarming evening. We watched short videos about everybody that was there. It was very emotional.”
Maureen, the volunteer for WHY and finalist in the Volunteer category said, “Thank you everyone for your good wishes, l made the top four and the lovely lady who won really deserved it. I was presented with a lovely trophy which I will treasure and it was a wonderful evening.”
A couple from Coleford, near Frome won the Fundraiser of the Year category with their charity Time is Precious. They have fundraised £1.3million for equipment to help entertain children during hospital stays, after the death of their son who had a brain tumour.
The evening was presented by BBC Points West presenter Alex Lovell and BBC Radio Somerset’s breakfast show presenter Charlie Taylor.
The aim of the BBC Make a Difference Awards is to recognise those in the community that love to make life better for others.
