Three-legged dog is posthumous awards finalist

A therapy dog, who was a regular at a local library before passing away recently, is a finalist in the BBC Radio Suffolk Make a Difference Awards.

Charlie, the three-legged greyhound, worked as a therapy dog in Framlingham library where he was described as "a beacon of comfort and support" to young readers.

Owner Peter Willis said: "He had the best, most fulfilling life a dog could have and made a difference to the lives of many children along the way."

Charlie was selected by judges as one of four finalists for the Animal Award, along with Peter Merchant, who helps rehabilitate birds of prey, the online community group Finding Dogs in Ipswich and Gill Lewis who helps rehome unwanted pets.

The Make a Difference Awards are run by BBC Local radio stations and started in 2022.

Grace Hill, who is visually impaired, volunteers for groups and mentors people. "The world needs more people like Grace," said her nomination for the Volunteer Award.

Brothers Arron and Chris Bailey are also finalists, having taken Santa out to visit children at their homes who were unable to go and see him elsewhere. They also make hampers for nurses and gifts for new mothers still in hospital at Christmas.

Sarah Tieck, who runs This is Ipswich social media accounts, was nominated for amplifying stories about metal health, food banks and community voices.

Her nomination said that "to know Sarah is to have someone believe in you, this is the energy that will save the world".

Max Thomas, from the Ipswich Windrush Society, founded the reflection room in the Sailmakers shopping centre which is open all year.

COMMUNITY AWARD: The Caribbean & African Community Health Support Forum, Future Female Society, Suffolk Refugee Support Sewing Group and Memory Lane Café.

FUNDRAISER AWARD: Project 7, Pop Chorus, Maria Layton and John Bailey.

GREEN AWARD: Jackie Orbell, Deben Climate Centre, Edible Felixstowe and Saxmundham Community Fridge.

ACTIVE AWARD: Harrison Mayhew-Kemp, Mike McCarthy, Edgar Miller and Trudy Avis.

GREAT NEIGHBOUR AWARD: Doreen Savage, Wendy Aiken, Joanne Stuckey and Rosemary Burrows.

YOUNG HERO: Ozzy Rayner and Georgia Biggs.

Interviews with each finalist will be broadcast on BBC Radio Suffolk over the summer, with the winners announced at a ceremony at Trinity Park on 17 September.

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