My personal New Year Honours to those who made a difference in 2014

ALLAN WHILEY: Affectionately nicknamed Captain Mainwaring, Allan admirably marshalled his troops on Saltburn beach to recreate the famous Christmas truce football match which had taken place between British and German troops 100 years earlier. Under Allan’s leadership, the occasion achieved the perfect balance between poignant remembrance and community fun. It was a privilege to take part as a member of the British team – and the archives will show I even scored a goal as the Brits thrashed the Germans. Allan and all the others who worked so hard to pull together such a wonderful event on that lovely sunny day in June – I salute you.

MIKE McGROTHER: A musician and teacher, Mike is a whirlwind of a man whose passion was the driving force behind Stockton’s beautiful tribute to the 1,245 local soldiers who were lost in the Great War. In their memory, 1,245 sunflowers were grown and brought together in the parish gardens in August. Surrounded by those flowers – cut down in their prime – Mike orchestrated a musical tribute which I’ll never forget. I was asked to grow one of the sunflowers, in memory of Private John Thomas Matthews, of the 5th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry. I researched his life, found his grave in Stockton’s Durham Road Cemetery and left some flowers by his white headstone. We should never forget those who gave their lives – and Stockton did them proud.

SHAUN CAMPBELL: Shaun is a shining example of perseverance when you believe in something. For years, he’s told anyone who would listen about Arthur Wharton, the world’s first black professional footballer, who spent his early career as a goalkeeper with Darlington. Shaun was a man with a mission – to get Arthur’s place in history properly recognised. He raised money, recruited celebrities to the cause, and didn’t care if some people thought he was a dreamer and a pain in the neck. He got the job done. In October, after years of campaigning, a 16ft bronze statue of Arthur Wharton was unveiled at St George’s Park, the main training base of the England football team in Staffordshire. Shaun Campbell was there to see his mission completed.

MACKENZIE THORPE: We needed something special to grace the front page of our special Remembrance Sunday edition, commemorating the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. I contacted the Middlesbrough-born, world-famous artist and asked if he could help. Without hesitation, he said “yes” and, within 48 hours, he’d produced a stunning piece of art called “Remembrance”. Mackenzie was a pleasure to work with and his original artwork sold for £13,000 in aid of our appeal in support of Phoenix House, the Help For Heroes recovery centre at Catterick Garrison. It’s high time this gifted North-East man, who rose from humble beginnings to be celebrated around the world, was honoured for services to the arts.

GEOFF HILL: As chairman of the Middleton St George Memorial Association, Geoff is the man chiefly responsible for keeping alive wartime memories of the site which is now Durham Tees Valley Airport. In mid-Summer, the Mynarski Memorial Lancaster flew in from its base in Canada to visit our local airport. Thousands flocked to see a majestic piece of history close-up, and they have Geoff Hill’s passion and tireless efforts to thank for such a rare opportunity.

GARY VERITY: It would be wrong to let 2014 pass without paying tribute to Gary Verity, Coverdale sheep farmer and chief executive of Welcome To Yorkshire. Whenever ambitions feel too far-fetched and out of reach, remember that Gary and his team brought the Tour De France to Yorkshire for the Grand Depart. Even now, it seems improbable but it really did happen and reaching for the stars generated £102m for the county’s economy. The people of Yorkshire, and a long way beyond its boundaries, will talk of it for generations to come.

MARK GATISS: It was a joy to meet the writer and actor who grew up in Aycliffe and went on to find fame with The League of Gentlemen, Doctor Who, and Sherlock and much more. I was delighted to be asked to host an “in conversation” evening with Mark at Carmel College in Darlington at the start of December. The event raised £5,200 for the Mayor of Darlington, Councillor Gerald Lee’s charities and Mark doubled that figure. He stayed behind to sign hundreds of autographs afterwards and was impeccably polite throughout the day he spent back in County Durham. In fact, he is a leading contender to be the nicest person I met in 2014. Asked by a member of the audience to sum up his approach to life, Mark replied: “Work hard – be nice.” I think that’ll do for my New Year’s resolution.

Here’s to the people who will make a difference in 2015 – Happy New Year.