BBC Radio Leeds honours local heroes

Eight people and groups from West Yorkshire have received BBC Radio Leeds Make a Difference Awards for their community work.

Dr Shaunna Burke received the Fundraiser Award after combining cancer research with fundraising challenges following her diagnosis with incurable stage four breast cancer in 2024.

The University of Leeds Associate Professor studies how physical exercise affects the body and can help patients prepare for treatment and surgery. She has also monitored her own physical condition as part of that research.

Shaunna underwent a double mastectomy, liver surgery and radiotherapy before becoming the first woman with incurable cancer to reach the summit of Mount Everest in April 2026.

Mike Tindall helped select her as the category winner and told BBC Radio Leeds: “The fact that she’s living and breathing it every single day of her life, showing her determination to cancer research, that sort of puts her on a pedestal of her own I think.”

The other winners included Jade Lee in the Volunteer category, Harry Evans as Young Hero and Kate Wormald Smith as Great Neighbour.

Suffia Hussain and Project on Guard received the Active Award, while Sue Shaw and Huddersfield and District Badger Group won the Animal Award.

EPIKS in Kirklees received the Environmental Award, and the SEN Parent Support Group founded by Andrea Dixon Boldy won the Community Group category.

The winners were chosen with help from judges including Kimberley Walsh, Balvinder Sopal, Anita Rani, Ellie Kildunne, Jack Carroll, Richie Anderson and Simon Grayson.

Acting Executive Editor Tracy Gee said: “Every one of them has been selected because of their remarkable contribution to the local community.”

The initiative began during the Covid 19 pandemic to connect people needing assistance with those able to help. The awards are now in their fifth year.