On International Women’s Day 2020, The Northern Echo highlights some of the region's exceptional women.

* Known for her wedding publication and its network, Liz Clark’s priorities shifted after the loss of husband. The 63-year-old looked after husband Tim, who had MS, but kept her publication ticking in the background.

“We had a support worker but one day, she told me we had everything we need so she wouldn’t be coming back,” the North Yorkshire woman said. “It was quite devastating.”

Tim, her only ever boyfriend and husband of 43 years, died from sepsis and pneumonia in 2018.

She said: “MS really is a cruel illness. He couldn’t do anything; wipe tears from his face or pull down his t-shirt. We both have a good sense of humor and that’s what kept us going.”

Mrs Clark was lucky, she said, because she could work from home while being his carer, when others have to leave their jobs.

“There’s this saying, who cares for the carer? Nobody gives a damn. You don’t get much [financial] support,” she said.

As a result, Mrs Clark is now launching a carers network, to support others carers and help them turn hobbies into money-making side hustles to make ends meet.

Friend Cal Saul said: “She is absolutely marvellous, and quite inspiring.

“She has put herself out of pocket quite a few times because she just puts everyone first. She’ll always pick up the phone and make calls whenever she knows someone’s having a bad day.”

* In 2012, Heidi Morrison, who has Crohn’s Disease, was rushed to hospital for an emergency operation with “just hours to live” but has since found her feet in championing community activity.

“From 17-32 when had Crohn’s, I just existed. After the operation, I lived,” the Hartlepool woman said.

Today, she is the North-East’s ambassador for parkrun, a weekly Saturday morning five kilometre run.

“When I was on the mend, someone took me to parkrun. While I was three-quarters dead after, it was the social side that did it for me,” the 39-year-old, who “talks to anyone who will listen” about parkrun, said.

“I thought if this is what it’s doing for me, it can for others. It’s great for mental health too - you can go get counselling, but exercise will compliment that. And even if you don’t want to take part, a lot of people come for the community and volunteer. There is someone who has volunteered over 200 times and never taken part. I have to go for chemo every eight weeks, so if I can, everyone can.”

Miss Morrison is helping spread word of a 48-mile walking route, linking Hartlepool to Whitby, through taster walks. Walkers can start from St Hilda Church to Seaton Carew or Seaton Carew to Greatham at 11am on Sunday, March 9.

* After a lifetime of “daft” dietary questions, Jade Byrne, 34, from Darlington, shaped her career on educating people about Type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune condition and not related to weight or diet.

“I had to educate people in a fun way to the fact that Type 1 is totally different to the stereotypical cases of Type 2,” she said.

“I was working for Jabberwocky Market in Darlington and that’s what inspired me to make my own show, I was in Edinburgh at the Fringe, having a glass of wine, as you do, when I realised I was having a hypo and that’s when it clicked, this is what I have to write about.”

Mrs Byrne created a children’s book, which raises money for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation UK, and a show, which has toured nationally, all about Type 1.

This has not only impacted her professional life, but personal. Mrs Bryne and her husband chose to adopted their two girls, instead of having biological children.

Mrs Byrne said she was “brought up in a time where it was advised for Type 1s not to have babies of their own, as it was a difficult and complicated thing to do”.

"Every child deserves a safe home and I can provide that with so much love thrown in too. Why not adopt? There are so many children out there that need people like me and my husband and there was nothing to stop us from doing it. It's the best thing we ever did," she added.

* Members of Sore Paws Veterinary Clinic took to social media to praise newly-appointed assistant manager Rachel Timms.

Ms Timms, who has been at the clinic for five years - “since the very start”, is described as committed, hard working, organised and an “absolute rock”.

They wrote: “Following her promotion, she’s sometimes on the front desk but mostly in our office hard at work. She will still on occasion roll her sleeves up and come to our rescue through the back when we get busy. Thanks for being amazing at whatever you turn your hand to.”

Mum Barbara praised her daughter, who is also doing well in competitive horse riding, saying she is “bursting with pride”.