Legends of lockdown

AS the year draws to a close, many will be wishing “good riddance” to 2020 and hoping for 2021 to be kinder.

But, along with the tragedy and hardship so many have faced, there has been no shortage of people doing inspirational things.

Some of the stars, who have appeared in this column during 2020, were featured last week. The celebration continues today with the second half of the year...

JUNE: Surrounded by an abundance of fruit and vegetable plants on her well-kept allotment at Sedgefield, CAROLE LAWFORD, pictured below, put the world in perspective. A year after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Carole had quit her job as a Government lawyer, to set up a community market garden business supplying fresh produce to isolated people. “I needed something to keep me looking forward, so I turned to the soil,” she said. “I know my condition will get steadily worse, but I’m living my dream.”

JULY: After months of DIY haircuts and neglected tresses, the long-awaited reopening of hairdressers, after the first lockdown, was a cause for celebration across the nation. Perms, colours, bobs, and blow-drys were eagerly booked, but first in the queue at Jigsaw, in Darlington, was 85-year-old great-grandma, MURIEL JOY. No fancy coiffure for Muriel – instead, she ordered hairdresser, Nigel Dowson, to “take it all off”. She went completely bald to raise funds for St Teresa’s Hospice in memory of her husband, Maurice, and daughter, Carol, who both died of cancer. What a star.

BARBARA BROADBELT has dedicated her life to saving others, first as a trainer of swimming teachers, then by travelling the world with the Royal Lifesaving Society.  Her life-saving mission continued when she was appointed as District Governor of Rotary North East. Barbara, of Fishburn, announced that her year in the role would be spent encouraging the region’s 54 Rotary Clubs to each raise funds to buy defibrillators for their local communities. “Even if we saved one life, it would make the year really special,” declared Barbara.

A MORNING was spent on Darlington's Red Hall estate, watching the kindness being spread by a fantastic charity called THE BREAD AND BUTTER THING. The charity works on the simple premise of collecting surplus food from supermarkets and other retailers, then distributing it to communities at a fraction of the cost. By July,  42 tonnes of food, equating to 100,000 meals, had been distributed across the town by the charity's workers and volunteers."It makes a massive difference, and gives you peace of mind that you've got some food in," said mum-of-four Pauline Appleby."

SEPTEMBER: Celebrating the talent we have in the North-East is always an objective of the column, and STUART TROTTER was a timely example. I loved the fact that Stuart, born and raised in the County Durham pit town of Ferryhill, had made a little piece of literary history by being both the author and illustrator of the centenary edition of the The Rupert Annual. “Rupert’s so iconic, you do feel a pressure to get it right – especially for his 100th birthday – because he means so much to so many people,” Stuart explained.

WHAT a pleasure it was to meet JACKIE SHORT at his home in Ebchester, County Durham. Having learned first aid as a Boy Scout, he’d clocked up 56 years’ service with St John Ambulance, and was still volunteering at 87. “It’s in my blood,” he told me. “I’d recommend it to anyone. You make friends for life, and helping people makes you happy.”

IN Catterick Village, I caught up with MAGGIE COX while she was having one of her regular meetings with 89-year-old Army veteran, John Wilkinson. Maggie is a volunteer befriender with Age UK North Yorkshire and Darlington, and pops round to John's flat for a cup of tea and a chat every Tuesday and Saturday. "She's an absolute godsend. I honestly don't know what I'd do without her – life would be very lonely," said John.

OCTOBER: Evergreen IAN BARNES is a man who deserves much higher accolades that I can offer. The driving force behind the Darlington Parkrun, Ian set the mile record for over-85s in a race organised by Darlington Harriers at Eastbourne Sports Complex. He crossed the finishing line in a time of 8 minutes 10.40 seconds, with me among those languishing in his wake despite being given a 30-year start. “You did very well, Peter, because I was going full pelt,” he declared as I fought for breath afterwards.

WITH the pandemic leading to an increase in staycations, 2020 turned out to be one of the busiest summers on record for the Redcar lifeboat. DAVE COCKS looked back on 42 years' service as a volunteer, following in the footsteps of his father, Charlie, who'd signed up in 1948 and was still volunteering when he died, aged 83, in 2006. "It's part of me and always will be," said Dave.

NOVEMBER: Completely blind since childhood, father-of-two OWEN BAINBRIDGE, from Cockfield, County Durham, has spent lockdown training harder than ever to cement his place in the England blind football team. Having played 70 times for his country so far, Owen, 31, is determined to be in the team for the European Championships in 2022; the World Cup, on home soil in Birmingham in 2023; and the Paris Paralympics a year later. "The pandemic has put into perspective how lucky and privileged I am – underlining the importance of cherishing every single moment," he said.

DECEMBER: The Mayor and Mayoress of Darlington, CHRIS and AMANDA McEWAN spoke movingly about losing their first baby, William, to 'cot death' in 1991. Their aim in telling their story was to raise money for The Lullaby Trust, which promotes awareness of sudden infant death syndrome, and provides support for bereaved families. The couple, along with their three daughters, regularly visit William's grave. "You never know what's round the corner, so it's always a reminder of how important it is to enjoy your loved ones, do meaningful things, and spend time making special memories," said Amanda.

On that poignant note, I wish you a happy, peaceful new year...