We honour ordinary people doing extraordinary things with our 1 Million Minutes Awards

We dedicated the last hour of our show to a very special 1 Million Minutes Awards ceremony - in honour of ‘ordinary people doing extraordinary things’ to combat loneliness. 

The third year of the awards was hosted by Ben Shephard and Charlotte Hawkins and the 1MM pledges totalled over 109 million minutes during the live show.

DAME BARBARA WINDSOR LONELINESS AWARD WINNER - CAROLE GOULDING 

Carole Goulding runs a specialist tearoom called ‘Grandma’s Pudding Co’ in Friskney, Lincolnshire. The not-for-profit organisation offers volunteer work to those with early onset dementia and launched in May 2021. 

She was presented her special award by the late Dame Barbara Windsor’s husband Scott Mitchell and friend and former co-star Jake Wood.

Scott said: 'All I can say to you is I know what it takes to care for one person living with dementia, and I know you live with Mark [her husband]. To be able to give your time to other people on top of that, is beyond anything I can imagine and you’re a very special lady.'

MENTAL HEALTH LONELINESS AWARD WINNER - SANDY KAUR

Inspiring winner Sandy Kaur works within the Sikh and Punjabi communities to identify and deal with mental health struggles.

Lorraine Kelly, who presented her with her award, said: 'I think the work you do is absolutely brilliant and this award is… It just goes from strength to strength.'

Sandy founded her first project called Sikh Forgiveness back in 2018, and later established the organisation Sehhat in 2022. 

YOUNG LONELINESS CHAMPION AWARD WINNER  - BEN PENNYCOOK

Inspiring Ben Pennycook, 16, set up a lunchtime club teaching younger students one skill a week in a bid to help them feel less isolated and help them make friends. 

Ben’s mum Wendy spoke to Ben from the star-studded audience and said: 'There are no words. He’s just amazing. Isn’t it just fantastic that children can do these things.'

WINNER OF THE ANIMAL LONELINESS CHAMPION AWARD - ANIMAL ANTIKS 

Sarah Kettlety and partner Nick started Animal Antiks a decade ago, after Nick was involved in a car accident.  

Animal Antiks uses farm and rescued animals to support children and adults with emotional, behavioural, mental health and special needs, as well as those suffering anxiety or social isolation.

Sarah collected the awards with one of her rabbits, a Giant Continental called Maltese. 

LEN GOODMAN AWARD WINNER - DABIRUL ISLAM CHOUDHURY

The special award - in tribute to the much-loved former Strictly judge - went to winner Dabirul Islam Choudhury, who turns 104 in January.

Dabirul rose to national prominence at the age of 100 when he decided to raise funds during the Covid pandemic in 2020 by walking every day during Ramadan while fasting. 

He was subsequently awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for his effort. 

Since then, Dabirul has continued his global initiative and fundraising efforts. In April 2021 10,000 people joined his campaign 'Walk with Dabir Chacha'.