Northern Soul and People’s Powerhouse are partnering to share good news stories about businesses, people and communities coming together in the North of England and showing us the best of humanity during the COVID-19 crisis. We’ve heard so many examples of people showing great kindness and compassion and we think that these stories deserve to be shared far and wide. Let’s bring a little sprinkle of joy to people’s news feed and show the world how great Northerners really are, especially in challenging times.
Lockdown literature
Carlisle Mutual Aid
Hexham Book Festival presented a range of authors and familiar faces for a daily storytime throughout May in order to raise funds for the charity Children North East. Contributors include Katherine Rundell, Ann Cleeves, Brenda Blethyn, Jim Smith, Konnie Huq and more. Stories are all available to watch again here.
Meanwhile, Carlisle COVID-19 community response is working with Bookends Carlisle to include a book with every lunch parcel they are delivering to children at the moment.
Getting creative with fundraising
From rainbow sketches to chalk art and photography projects, communities across the North are getting creative during lockdown with many using their art to raise funds for much-needed causes.
Tameside East Foodbank
First up, a lovely girl called Jessica was celebrating her birthday and decided she would like to take the opportunity to make a difference to others who were in need. Jessica made glitter calming bottles to sell and raise money for the children’s ward at Tameside Hospital. She also asked people to donate food for Tameside East Foodbank in a box she placed outside her house. There was even hand sanitiser available to keep people extra safe.
Tameside East Foodbank said: “What a fantastic and generous way to celebrate your birthday, Jessica. You have helped to make a huge difference to lots of people. Well done and thank you so much for supporting us.”
Ellen Elizabeth Illustrations in Formby has designed some new minimal prints, the profits of which will be donated to charity. Ellen said: “I have been truly inspired by the efforts of other artist and designers using their platforms to raise money for charities that are undergoing outstanding work during these difficult times. I’ve set up this project to raise money for three separate charities, who are each doing incredible work within our communities. All profits made will be donated at the end of every month to aid their support further.” Ellen’s chosen charities are Refuge, Trussel Trust and Age UK. You can purchase the prints here.
Going the extra mile
Terry Holt, Save the Children
Ninety-six-year-old Terry Holt has walked up to half a mile every day since March 23 in a bid to raise at least £1,000 for Save the Children’s Coronavirus appeal. Terry, who has been a volunteer for Save the Children’s Cheadle and Gatley Volunteering Branch for more than 61 years, wanted to do something to keep herself motivated. She said: “I live on my own and my family are not nearby, so in the beginning I was struggling and feeling lonely. Fundraising has given me a reason to get up and out every day.”
“Coronavirus is keeping us all stuck indoors but, being 96 and walking with a walker, I wanted to keep mobile. I accepted middle age when I got to 90 so I’m still only middle aged now and if I stop moving, I feel like I might get old. Each day I do a daily walk and I’m using this as an opportunity to continue fundraising.”
Women with wings
Terry Holt’s JustGiving page is open until October and can be found here.
And lastly, Women with Wings in Manchester has been delivering food parcels to those in need across the city, using a team of volunteers to make the delivery job possible.
By Emma Yates-Badley, Deputy Editor
Main image: Carlisle Mutual Aid
