A Monmouth man has won a BBC award for his work with hedgehogs.

Dylan Allman was one of eight winners in the 2026 BBC ‘Make a Difference’ awards, celebrating Wales’ unsung community heroes. The BBC awards celebrate acts of kindness and extraordinary contributions, recognising people who go above and beyond to support others and strengthen their local communities.

At a special ceremony held at BBC Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff, BBC Radio Wales’ Lucy Owen and BBC Radio Cymru’s Caryl Parry Jones presented this year’s winners with their trophies.

Dylan won the Animal Award for his work in highlighting the plight of hedgehogs.

A chance discovery of hedgehogs in his garden turned into a nationwide mission. Dylan reaches thousands of people through the ‘Be Hedgehog Aware’ campaign, which successfully persuaded major manufacturers to include his warning stickers on garden machinery.

Chosen from almost 500 nominations, 32 finalists were shortlisted, with eight outstanding winners selected by a special judging panel, including BAFTA-winning actress Rakie Ayola, BBC Radio 2 Early Breakfast Show host Owain Wyn Evans, ecologist and environmental campaigner Joe Wilkins, undisputed welterweight world champion and Olympic gold medallist Lauren Price, comedian and BBC Radio Wales presenter Robin Morgan, content creator and BBC Asian Network presenter Bablu Shikdar, designer, zookeeper and television presenter Anna Ryder Richardson, and BBC Radio Wales presenter and singer-songwriter Bronwen Lewis.

Among the winners is Ted Williams, who received the Environmental Award for transforming neglected tennis courts and surrounding land at Parc y Betws in Carmarthenshire into a thriving wildlife and community garden. Category judge Joe Wilkins said: “Wales is facing an environmental crisis, and we need champions for nature and our connection to the world around us. This year’s winner has demonstrated the incredible power of nature for our wellbeing and healing. Not only in their own life, but by then sharing that experience with others in their community.”

Also honoured is seven-year-old Noa-Rose Alderman, who won the Young Hero Award for transforming her experience as a meningitis survivor into a mission to raise awareness and thousands of pounds for charity. Category judge Bronwen Lewis said: “I’ve had the absolute honour and privilege of choosing a winner from the Young Hero category this year. And it was really hard to decide on a winner because every single young person deserved an award.”

Garmon Rhys, Interim Director of BBC Cymru Wales, said: “I would like to congratulate the amazing winners of this year’s awards and everyone who was shortlisted. With almost 500 nominations received, it’s clear that Wales is home to an extraordinary number of people who are making a difference.

Following Dylan’s work, a hedgehog rescue centre has been opened in the county.

“Releasing hedgehogs back to the wild where they belong is one of the most rewarding parts of their volunteering,” said a spokesman.

The vet-supported and volunteer-run hedgehog rescue and rehab charity for Monmouthshire and Wye Valley can be contacted on 01600 605125, 9am-7pm daily if you have found a hedgehog in need of urgent care. This is an answerphone service - a volunteer will call you back.