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Make A Difference 2026: Award is the 'icing on the cake'

Isabella VeronaNorthamptonshire
News imageSupplied A large group of people gathered around two decorated cars in a parking area, many raising their hands toward the camera. Pink banners reading “Petals” and “WELCOME BACK! THANK YOU!” are displayed behind the group. A Mercedes car with custom graphics is positioned in the center, and the gathering appears to be part of a community or fundraising event.Supplied
The Rust Bucket Rally has raised money for numerous organisations such as baby loss counselling charity, Petals as well as Cynthia Spencer Hospice and KidsAid

The organisers of a continental car challenge that raised £750,000 for charities have been named among the winners of the BBC Radio Northampton Make a Difference Awards 2026.

Carlos Baldry organised the Rust Bucket Rally, in which drivers motored from Northamptonshire to 10 different countries in a car each member had bought for under £1,000.

Other winners include an environmental group reducing waste - and a personal trainer working to boost mental health as well as reach fitness goals.

The awards were handed out at the Royal & Derngate theatre in Northampton on Thursday.

The Rust Bucket Rally group raised more than £130,000 for the baby loss counselling charity Petals in their most recent rally in June. They have won the Fundraiser Award.

Baldry said: "We have such a great time on our road trips but when we come back to know we have done that little bit extra and raised this money, [it adds] the icing on the cake."

He told BBC Radio Northampton that the Rust Bucket Rally had now raised about £750,000 for charities since its inception in 2014.

"It's not just an individual trophy, the Rust Bucket is more than just one or two people, it's everybody," he added.

News imageSupplied Person wearing a purple running vest with the text “RUNNING TALES” stands in front of a teal circular logo that reads “STEP FORWARD WITH LEWIS” and features a white footprint graphic. The person is also wearing a multicolored running headband. The image has a clean, cut-out style with a transparent or plain background, highlighting the individual and the Step Forward With branding.Supplied
Michelle Lewis is a qualified personal trainer and is passionate about using fitness as a way to improve mental health

Michelle Lewis won the Active Award for her work at her fitness club, which caters for people of all ages and people with disabilities.

Step Forward with Lewis CIC began as a running club but has since diversified into helping elderly people build their strength and balance in an effort to ease pressure on the NHS treating people who have suffered falls.

Working with carers, widows, vulnerable and elderly people, Lewis said the classes were "a break and an opportunity to be themselves".

"Some of these people [might not have] seen anyone for a week, there is a big growing number of loneliness out there," she added.

Lewis, from Northampton, said being nominated for the award felt like "winning already".

"I'm still in shock," she added.

News imageSupplied Members of the Wellingborough Eco Group stand on a grassy area in front of a canopy displaying the group's name. Several people wear high-visibility vests and hold litter pickers and red rubbish bags, with signs and banners visible around the display. Trees, a fence and a cloudy sky can be seen in the background.Supplied
Jonathon Hornett runs the eco hub, which includes numerous projects like a community allotment, a repair café and litter picking

The Wellingborough Eco Group won the Environment Award for their work reducing waste going into landfill - among other projects.

Jonathon Hornett, the director of the group, said: "What we do makes a huge difference to local people and the local environment.

"It's nice to be that incubator for different projects but also other organisations throughout the county."

"[The award means] the group has been recognised on a countywide level for doing good things in our town and the surrounding area," Hornett said.

The other winners are:

  • The Volunteer Award:Allison WalkerBray, Wellingborough Gateway Club
  • The Young Hero Award: Louie Roe, fundraising for Young Epilepsy
  • The Great Neighbour Award: Sylvia Parkes, free community meals at the Phoenix Pub
  • The Animal Award: Flo the Horse, Horses for Good
  • The Community Group Award:Northamptonshire Search & Rescue

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Rust Bucket Rally