Five positive news stories from this week

Originally posted on CoronaUnity.

With negative stories being the focus of mainstream media recently, we must highlight the positive news also. Here are five uplifting things that have happened in the UK in the past week.

SIR TOM TO RECEIVE KNIGHTHOOD

Captain Sir Tom Moore, a 100-year-old World War Two veteran, raised over £33m for the NHS by walking around his garden. He will be formally knighted after a special recommendation from the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. “I thought this can’t be true, I’ve always said this won’t happen and it appears it actually has,” Moore told the BBC. “I am certainly delighted and overawed by the fact this has happened to me.” The veteran is expected to have to wait until 2021 for his knighthood.

BLUE POSTBOXES

Five postboxes across the UK have been painted blue by the Royal Mail as a token of thanks to NHS staff battling the Covid-19 pandemic. Shane O’Riordain, from the Royal Mail, told The Independent “We are showing our support and thanks to the many NHS workers across the UK who are working tirelessly to help those affected by the coronavirus crisis.” The postboxes have been painted blue with the message “Thank You NHS” printed across it. The locations of the postboxes include Cardiff, Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Belfast.

88-YEAR-OLD TIKTOK SENSATION

Ruth Rudd, an 88-year-old grandmother from Kidderminster, has become a viral phenomenon on TikTok by showing off her dance moves. Rudd told the BBC “I’ve been behind these doors eight weeks not going anywhere. Something like this has given me such a boost up.” Her granddaughter, Jess, has filmed her during lockdown and the pair are surprised by their success. With over 25m views on their account (@jrudderz), they w continue to lift people’s spirits with their funny dancing videos.

SUPERMARKET WEDDING

A bride-to-be, whose wedding had been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, had her chance to walk down the aisle at a supermarket. Mandy Hamling, 42, from Cardiff, was given a huge surprise when her colleagues decked out the store with banners and balloons whilst the song Chapel of Love was played as she walked down the aisle. Hamling and her partner, Michael Shire, 43, have rearranged their wedding for June next year.

HOMECOMING FOR NATIONAL GRID WORKER

National Grid workers have been sleeping in pods for six weeks at a time to ensure that the country had power going through the lockdown. They were forced to stay on site to minimise the risk of falling ill. Chris Jarvis, from Rugby, was separated from his wife and their two sons, keeping in contact only through phone calls. After six weeks, Jarvis finally returned home to cheers and hugs from his family. “It’s a sacrifice being away from my family,” Chris told the BBC. “But we’ve all been willing to make them to keep the lights on and hospitals powered.”