All the good stories that prove 2020 hasn’t just been doom and gloom

It can be so easy to get caught up in the doom and gloom, but there's plenty to smile about.

Although it's hard to believe, we're only four months into this year.

From the threat of WW3 back at the start of January, to the devastation of the apocalyptic wildfires in Australia, the damage and disruption across Europe caused by Storms Dennis and Ciara, tragic and sobering celebrity deaths and now the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020 really has thrown at lot at us so far.

As overused as it may be at the moment, unprecedented is really the only word fitting.

And we all thought it was going to be 'our year' as well, didn't we? It still can be though.

A lot may be uncertain right now, but 2020 is alive and kicking. There's plenty to smile about, if you know where to look, and we want to shine a light on some of the most positive, uplifting, light-hearted, funny and inspiring stories that we've reported on so far to prove that this year hasn't been a complete write off just yet.

All is not lost and here's why...

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99-year-old war vet raising money for NHS

In a story that captured the hearts of the nation like nothing else before, WWII veteran, Captain Tom Moore, raised a staggering £12 million and counting for the NHS.

Just how did he achieve such a feat though?

The 99-year-old vet set the target of walking 100 laps around his garden before his 100th birthday on 30th April. He crossed the finish line live on BBC Breakfast at around 8:30am on Thursday 16th April and became a true hero in doing so.

This story won't be forgotten anytime soon!

You can read the full article here.

Adventurous penguins

After Shedd Aquarium in Chicago had to close its doors to the public amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the resident penguins were allowed to roam freely and went one one heck of an adventure.

Brilliantly, it was all documented on social media too.

This story showed that there was some real strong penguin appreciation right across the world and we absolutely loved to see it.

You can read the full article and watch the videos here.

Showing our support

When the nation heard that the first clap for NHS was taking place, many weren't quite sure exactly what to expect. We certainly didn't expect it to be such a powerful and moving moment that saw a once very divided country, unite for a common purpose...

Showing our support for the heroes holding our country together.

The #clapforNHS, #ClapForCarers & #ClapForKeyWorkers takes place every Thursday evening at 8pm.

You can read the full article here.

Northern nans

This brilliant story emerged after strict social distancing measures were announced for the elderly amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Three northern nans moved in together to self-isolate and combat loneliness.

Doreen, Carol and Dotty, from the North of England, just didn't fancy self-isolating alone during UK lockdown. They'd much prefer to do it together and that they did.

The best bit about this story is that the ladies admitted to having "a supply of wine in" to get them through and that wine is the only item they had been panic buying.

You can read the full article here.

Iceland proposal

This one's just brilliant.

A man who had originally planned to propose to his partner on holiday in Iceland, did so in an Iceland Foods store instead.

After their trip to Iceland was cancelled amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, this put his proposal plans up in the air. All in good humour though, he settled for the next best thing... and she said yes!

Iceland Foods is also paying for their pending honeymoon to Iceland too.

You can read the full article here.

Cats against racism

“There was some racist rubbish here but I covered it up with this picture of a cat”.