School prom fundraiser wins at BBC Make a Difference awards

A woman who sources dresses and suits for teenagers whose families would otherwise struggle to afford the costs of prom has won a BBC Radio Sheffield Make a Difference award.

Claire Lou Robinson, from Rotherham, runs A PROMise, which arranges for donated outfits to be given to students who might not be able to go to their school celebrations.

The winners of eight categories, including Great Neighbour which Ms Robinson took home, were announced in a ceremony at the New York Stadium hosted by presenters Ellie Colton and Paulette Edwards.

Ms Robinson, who has also raised funds for the Newman School, was praised by judge, actor Phil Daniels, as a “fantastic woman” who has “time for everyone else”.

Ms Robinson said: “This is amazing, but I could only do this with support from everybody donating dresses and suits.

“Prom is an important time in a child’s life these days. We didn’t have it when I was young, but my mum was a single parent and we wouldn’t have been able to afford for me to go.

“It’s that smile when they’ve found the dress – they know that they’re going to prom.”

Unity Gym Project, based in Broomhall in Sheffield, were the recipients of the Community Group award.

Osman Jama, 28, first attended the gym when he was 13. At the time he was struggling at school, having been excluded multiple times.

“Saeed (the Unity Gym Project founder) helped me, he advocated for me in school – he helped me get back into mainstream education,” he said.

“Unity Gym is my home. It’s my safe haven.”

He is now head of strength and conditioning and is also a mentor and youth worker.

“I want to provide the same opportunities that I was given, to others.”

The charity was set up in 2010 and seeks to engage with vulnerable young adults who don’t access mainstream services. The group encourages them to make positive life choices and improve their health and wellbeing.

In 2024 they worked with 1,600 individuals.

Nicola Woodhouse from Doncaster won the Volunteer award.

Despite having a cancer relapse and surgery to remove her eye, she took part in St Peter’s School Wardrobe, ensuring that more than 700 children from 13 different schools have uniforms.

Judge Millie Johnson, a writer from Barnsley, commended all the finalists, and said: “I think it’s much underestimated how important it is for a child to have a clean and good standard of uniform.

“Nicola’s story brought the tears to my eyes with all she’s doing for these families – for these children.”

Ms Woodhouse said: “I am very overwhelmed to be recognised for doing something I’m very passionate about. To win in that field of amazing, dedicated, driven people – I don’t think I’ll get over it for a very long time.

“I’ve not had the easiest year – the only way I found to get through my difficult chapters is to keep going, and give a little bit of good with the time that I’ve got.

“I am confident that I get so much more out of it than anyone that’s taken a bit of school uniform. Being able to be there, when someone needs your help, is a real privilege.

“If you look hard enough, there’s a lot more good in the world than there is bad.”

All four of the Young Hero finalists were surprised by BBC Radio Sheffield breakfast presenter Ellie Colton.

The winner, Edward Rotherford, 10, was nominated for the friendship and kindness he has shown to his friend Will, who was hit by a car and suffered brain damage.

His mother, Helen, said: “We are just so proud of him – at such a young age, to have the maturity to come and do what he did, it’s incredible.”

Full list of BBC Radio Sheffield Make a Difference 2025 winners:-

• Volunteer – an individual who makes a difference to their community by giving their time voluntarily to help others. Nicola Woodhouse from Bentley, Doncaster
• Young Hero – someone under 16 who has made a positive impact in their community or achieved something exceptional. Edward Rotherford from Sprotbrough, Doncaster
• Great Neighbour – an individual who helps to make their neighbourhood a better place to live or work, either on a regular basis or through a single act of kindness. Claire Lou Robinson from Rotherham
• Active – an individual or group of people who have used physical activity or sport as a way of improving the lives of those in their community. John Ward from Handsworth, Sheffield
• Animal – an animal that improves the life of an individual or group of people. Or, a person or group of people working with animals to improve animal welfare. Janet and Peter Dyson from Sheffield
• Green – an individual or group of people who help to make where we live more environmentally friendly and better for nature. Wath, West Melton and Brampton Litter Pickers
• Fundraiser – an individual or group of people who have gone the extra mile to raise funds for a good cause. Lorna Ford from Chesterfield
• supported by BBC Morning Live – awarded to a group of people who have helped to genuinely change the lives of others within their community. Unity Gym Project from Broomhall, Sheffield