Local mum Hayley Ryall, founder of Mikey’s World, was honoured with the Volunteer Award at the BBC Radio Bristol Make A Difference Awards 2025.
Hayley set up the charity in 2023, after her 16-year-old son, Mikey Roynon, died in a knife attack. Determined to turn heartbreak into hope, Hayley created Mikey’s World to raise awareness about knife crime and help save lives.
The charity funds and installs life-saving bleed kits in schools, youth centres, and public spaces across Bristol. These kits can be used in emergencies, whether it’s a stabbing, a car accident, or a cycling injury, giving communities the tools to act quickly and prevent fatalities.
Hayley said: “It really was a shock to receive the award as everyone nominated was so passionate and inspiring, all wanting to do better for their communities. Really the award isn’t for me personally, it is for the hard work and dedication that the Mikey’s World team put in and for the community who supports us. It’s so gratefully received and it’s mainly for my boy, so I can keep talking about him and he won’t ever be forgotten! It’s all for Mikey and that means the most to me.”
As well as helping teenagers, Mikey’s World also supports youth workers and soon will start to run parent workshops. Using a fully immersive virtual reality programme, this programme puts people in the shoes of a young person. They will have access to the digital world, knife crime, grooming etc and the signs to look out for which may go unrecognised.
Hayley’s dedication was recognised at a ceremony held at Bristol’s Harbour Hotel, where she received the award alongside other inspiring winners. The accolade also came with a £10,000 donation, which will allow Mikey’s World to provide even more bleed kits across the city.
Each year, the BBC Make A Difference Awards celebrate everyday people who go above and beyond to make life better for people in their communities. Hosted by BBC local radio stations across the UK, the awards shine a spotlight on acts of kindness, generosity, support and resilience. This year, eight winners were chosen from hundreds of nominations in categories such as Volunteer, Fundraiser, Great Neighbour, and Young Hero.
Supported by her family and friends, and the wider community, Hayley continues to give back to the community in Mikey’s memory and help young people make better choices.
You can learn more about Mikey’s World by visiting: https://mikeysworld.co.uk/ or https://www.justgiving.com/charity/mikeysworld