Celebrating some of Cornwall's Young Heroes

Four young people with very different yet inspiring stories have been nominated for the BBC Radio Cornwall Make a Difference Awards.

The Young Hero award honours an individual under the age of 16 who has made a significant positive impact in their community.

Proud mums, dads and grandparents were behind the nominations for this year's four finalists.

The winner will be revealed at a ceremony in Truro in September.

Albany from St Austell is nominated for kindness and compassion for others, and it is something she has been doing for a number of years.

She said: "I started when I was little when my mum was working with the homeless for her job; it inspired me to do more.

"I did the Shoebox Appeal and thought 'maybe if I organised something it would help people who do not have as much as me'.

"We made Christmas cards and bracelets and raised money for cancer research."

Albany, who is eight, has taken inspiration from sad events in her young life, adding: "My great grandma died from cancer, my other grandma survived.

"Someone at school had a brain tumour and died last year, I wanted to do something for people affected by cancer.

"I also do litter picking, I like seeing what I can do and make the world better, keep it clean.

"Recently we made bags of happiness to make people smile and we made keyrings and stickers."

Orkney is passionate about wildlife conservation, he clears litter from beaches and making videos for the local Wildlife Trust on how to rockpool responsibly.

He has taken on a series of running challenges to raise funds for charities on the Isles of Scilly and further afield.

Orkney said: "I first started raising money for the Cornwall Air Ambulance after I had a medical incident when I was about three or four, it felt good raising money."

Despite his age, he has raised nearly £7,000 with his runs, including completing a half marathon.

"The support of my family, friends and Candy Kittens kept me going," said Orkney.

"There are a few moments I'll always remember, like crossing the finish line of the Five Islands Challenge - that will never leave my brain."

That challenge saw Orkney running around five islands in five days to record a total distance of 55km (34 miles).

This summer he's planning seven runs in seven days for a total of 77km (48 miles) starting in Porthleven, Cornwall and ending on the Isles of Scilly with a ferry ride in the middle.

"I've always known my brain works in different ways than others."

Harriet, 15, from St Austell was diagnosed as autistic when she was eight years old.

With the help of her family, she organised a coffee morning to raise money for the National Autistic Society.

Harriet was nominated for raising awareness of autism and boosting her mental health through running and sport fundraisers.

She said: "When I was 12 I hit a bit of a low with my mental health and found it hard to communicate with others.

"Life felt very tough, I didn't want to go out or see people.

"I hadn't long started secondary school and there were lots of new people, routines and challenges. That's when Pip came into my life - Pip is my assistance dog.

"She is a golden retriever and she was my reason to get out every day. I would take her in the fields and we would run together.

"The running made me feel so good about myself and Pip was my companion - the more I ran, the more I wanted to run."

Ellawyn's surf life saving board is her pride and joy, and it is a piece of equipment that was at the centre of the three-day charity challenge that has resulted in her being nominated in the Young Hero catagory.

Ellawyn, 12, explained: "I started at Hayle beach and I did a board paddle all the way over to Gwithian, from there I got off my board and swam to Godrevy and then ran all the back to Hayle beach over three consecutive days."

The inspiration for the epic mission - nicknamed the Aquathalon - was her best friend Annie, who was going through a serious illness.

"I wanted to help my friend Annie as she was going through a rough time," Ellawyn said.

"All the support I had and just doing it and not letting Annie down because she really knew I was doing it, I was thinking about her all the way.

"She turned up on the final day, when they told Annie she might not be able to make it, Annie said 'I don't care, I'm going'."

The BBC Radio Cornwall Make a Difference Awards are in their fifth year and the winners in the eight categories - including Young Hero - will be announced at a ceremony in Truro in September.

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