The Contenders

BEN & CHARLOTTE HOLLINS

The brother and sister team run Fordhall Farm near Market Drayton in Shropshire. Fordall is one of the first farms in England to use traditional organic practises. But earlier this year they were set to lose their family heritage when their father Arthur died. The farm has been in the family for over 100 years and Ben and Charlotte needed to find £100,000 to renew the lease. In their twenties and still studying the outlook was gloomy.

But a plan to sell shares to the public for £50 each has paid off. Now more than 8,000 people own Fordhall Farm and Ben and Charlotte have been able to save part of the English countryside from the clutches of developers.

To vote for Ben & Charlotte: 09015 225 101

OTTO PUTLAND

Otto Putland is a talented young swimmer from Hereford. The 12-year-old's day starts earlier than most of us with training at his local baths. He's passionate about his sport and wants to make it to 2012 Olympics in London.

It was the untimely death of another Herefordshire boy, Laurie Engel at the age of thirteen from cancer, which touched him deeply, They never met but Otto felt compelled to help. He decided to raise money for a new teenage cancer unit at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

He's challenging all 500 swimming clubs across England to each raise £1,000. Swimming clubs are pledging their support. Otto has a huge task ahead of him but is determined to succeed.

To vote for Otto call 09015 225 102

LORNA BROWN

Six months ago Lorna lost a very dear friend - Kevin Phelps. The former Karate Champion from Birmingham lost his fight against leukaemia.

But during his battle against the disease Lorna helped to increase the number of black bone marrow donors in the Midlands by 50 per cent. Unfortunately a match from the Afro-Caribbean community was not found for Kevin. But Lorna's work continues today. Her friend's death has not been in vain. She'still organising clinics for the Afro-Caribbean Leukaemia Trust and wants more black people to register so that lives can be saved.

To vote for Lorna Brown call 09015 225 103

MICHELLE NORRIS

Private Michelle Norris from Amblecote near Stourbridge is the first woman to be awarded the Military Cross. On June 11th 2006 she was on tour in Al Amarah in Southern Iraq when the army vehicle she was travelling in came under fire. A Private in the Royal Army Medical Corp, at the time Michelle was attached to the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment 1st battalion.

The vehicle commander was shot in his face. Private Norris clambered to the top of the vehicle while under attack, to help him. Bullets were whistling past her head but Michelle's courageous act helped save the life of a colleague and friend.

It's a remarkable story as this was the first time Michelle's had been deployed in the field.

To vote for Michelle call 09015 225 104

SOPHIE FOXLEY

Six months ago Sophie Foxley from Bicton Heath in Shrewsbury was diagnosed with leukaemia. Her life changed forever. She no longer goes to school and venturing out can be problematic for fear of picking up infections.

But Sophie isn't isolated. She has thousands of friends all across the world logging on to her blog - an internet diary. They send her well wishes and she keeps them up to date with her health and treatment. Some days are good and some days not so good for this young girl.

At home Sophie is a keen musician self taught on the guitar and drums. Her favourite band is McFly and Harry (the drummer) has sent her drum sticks as present.

To vote for Sophie call 09015 225 105