A big thanks to those who voted for the wonderful Local Lockdown Heroes below – and an even bigger thanks to these fab individuals who’ve done such amazing things for their community during this last year!
It’s really inspiring finding out about how people have made a difference across the North East during these difficult times. I hope you enjoy reading all the stories and comments to help to recognise and celebrate your local heroes, in your own words.
Toney Adoniadis (Gateshead)
Neil Callender (Gateshead)
Evan Davis (Sunderland)
Sophie Gordon (Gateshead)
Helen Kumar (Gateshead)
Ian McDonald & Bryan Hume (Gateshead)
Limara Miller (Gateshead)
Charlie and Lucie Robinson (Gateshead)
Tilly & Grace Taylor (Gateshead)
True Colours (Gateshead/North Shields)
Leo Turnbull (Newcastle)
The Wardles (Gateshead)
Estelle Watkins (Gateshead)
Jessica Willey (Washington)
Emelia-Paige Williams (Newcastle)
Stan Yannetta (South Shields)
❤For all his work organising the We are the World digital singalong, bringing people together during lockdown and raising money for the QE. It’s brilliant to have it to look back on, and have a laugh and a tear x
🧡Organising the We are the World singalong and raising money for the NHS.
💛Doing something to make people smile in these difficult times x
💚Bringing people together to do something special.
💙Raising money for the QE with Singalong.
💜Great achievement raising over £1000.
❤Great idea for singalong.
🧡Fantastic achievement!
Watch the Video here!
❤Absolute legend. Rescued a dog who’d fallen through ice on frozen lake in Watergate Park. Incredibly brave selfless act.
🧡Well done, not everyone would have done that without a seconds thought.
💛Rescued dog from freezing water in Watergate Forest Park, amazing!
💚True hero acting instinctively and showing tremendous bravery.
💙Amazing, thank goodness you were there and acted so quickly
💜Good to know there are such lovely people in our community
❤Brave selfless man risking your life to save a poor dog.
🧡Awesome thing to do, you deserve a medal
💛What an incredible person!!
💚What a kind, brave man
💙He’s an absolute hero
💜Neil’s a total legend
❤A wonderful young man thinking of others during such difficult times, fantastic effort climbing three peaks in one day (Penshaw Monument, Roseberry Topping, Tunstall Hill) to raise money for the NHS. It must be so hard and upsetting knowing how hard his mam is working but yet he’s working very hard to raise money for the NHS.
🧡This amazing boy came up with the fantastic idea of climbing three local peaks to raise money for our NHS Heroes during this awful time. He did this always with a smile on his face and managed to raise over £350. So proud of him!
💛Fantastic achievement and well done for climbing those three hills in one day and for raising so much money for our well deserved NHS. Well done Evan you’ve done your community proud!
💚Evan has done an amazing job climbing 3 peaks to raise money and is an inspiration to others during these trying times. Well done and all money raised went to NHS !! Go Evan.
💙Thinking of others at such a young age. His mother has just qualified as a nurse and this inspired him to raise money for the NHS.
💜Thoughtful to think of what he could do to support the NHS raising money and showing support by climbing the local peaks.
❤A young lad who has gone above and beyond to support his local community during these challenging times!
🧡Lovely little boy. So caring and mature for being so young and raised lots of money for NHS.
💛It’s an amazing achievement for someone so young to think of others at this difficult time.
💚An inspiration to us all at such a young age and wanting to help and support our NHS.
💙For raising money for the NHS by lots of climbing and walking. He’s a superstar!
💜Think Evan has done an amazing job and being so young raising cash for the NHS.
❤Fantastic caring young man thinking of others doing everyone proud.
🧡Amazing achievement from a young boy raising money for our NHS
💛I think he is such a kind young man helping his community.
💚Great thing that he did. Raising a lot of money for the NHS.
💙For his selfless act of kindness raising money for the nhs.
💜Fundraising activities for NHS. Three peaks challenge.
❤He has raised money for the NHS and he is only 7.
🧡Fantastic effort and something fit and active too.
💛Such a lovely thing to do at such a young age.
💚Raising Money through physical activity.
💙Great achievement to help the NHS.
💜What a wonderful thing to do.
❤what a good achievement.
🧡A wonderful gesture.
💛The effort he made.
💚He deserves it.
💙Amazing hero.
💜Our Hero.
❤For her efforts in trying keep our local people and across the country singing every week, sometimes 2 or 3 times a week online with social groups, and helping to entertain everyone during lockdown but also helping to raise funds for NHS and our KeyWorkers.
🧡For never giving up and always wanting to entertain everyone during lockdown – singing almost every week online with various music groups to keep everyone entertained.
💛She helped keep all of our neighbourhood entertained during lockdown and also sang for the NHS staff who were doing amazing looking after COVID-19 patients.
💚Fantastic to see how in this difficult time it can bring out the best in people, well done for putting your talents to good use x
💙Sophie did a live virtual gig in our virtual bar in Scotland and she was amazing.
💜A young lady with a lovely voice and a big heart helping others.
❤For entertaining the local street and giving people a smile.
🧡For entertaining people via live music sets.
💛Lovely singer keeping everyone entertained.
💚For her efforts with music during lockdown.
💙Kept everyone entertained during lockdown.
💜Top class performance kept us entertained.
❤She is an inspiration to us all.
🧡Beautiful Singer.
💛Gorgeous singer.
❤Bringing people together during first lockdown with weekly Dancing on the Doorstep, then special VE day and Christmas dances. Such a lovely idea for a fun distraction, exercise, fresh air and getting to know neighbours x
🧡Fantastic atmosphere, loads of fun, was something to look forward to for lots of people xx
💛You made people happy with your dancing when they really needed a boost x
💚Great activity to bring people together from all age groups and abilities
💙Great work bringing the community together in such a hard time.
💜Helen Kumar is a legend and brings light into every dark room
❤Inspired work by Helen Kumar. Worked wonders
🧡Dancing on the doorstep, fantastic x
💛Beautiful thing to do, well done
💚Well deserved, great stuff
💙You’re a star, love it xx
💜Amazing work
❤Most Saturdays during Tier 3 the Wardley Musicmen played guitars, sang and entertained the community from the garden. Neighbours were in their own garden space or on the grassed areas at safe spaces apart. Over £1,450 raised for FACT Cancer Support.
🧡Set up in his front garden singing for locals who socially distanced while watching and doing raffles and tombolas to raise money for mind charity he’s a true hero and kept people spirits up.
💛It made lockdown more bearable having something to look forward to, thank you XX
💚Amazing community spirit, we’re lucky to have such talented musicians here.
💙We loved listening, well done for the hard work and raising so much money
💜We had a great time, loved the music and all for a great cause
❤Wonderful atmosphere and lots of smiling faces, well done
🧡A great idea to raise money and spend a lovely afternoon
💛Excellent work for FACT Cancer Support
❤Limara has been making stickers to thank nhs staff for their support during the pandemic and raising money for these stickers, she has also done a teddy bear stickers hunt around Leam Lane park too for children to find.
🧡Limara sat for hours making rainbows, hearts, teddy bears for the kids and ended up raising over £3,000 pound for Gateshead QE hospital. A selfless lady with a heart of gold.
💛She started off making Rainbows for free to brighten people’s days. Someone suggested leaving donations which she rolled with and made over £3,000 for the staff at the QE.
💚Doing an amazing job making rainbow hearts and bears stickers and teddy bear hunt in park. Lovely for the kids and she’s raised so much money for staff at QE.
💙Making lovely rainbows and raising over £3000 for the QE hospital, and creating a Teddy hunt around the local park which parents and children enjoyed.
💜She has done amazing job making people smile though this lockdown, and still making time for her lovely family and children.
❤She’s went above and beyond to raise money for the QE by making window stickers, she’s truly got a heart of gold.
🧡She lives in my street and the money she raised for the NHS was amazing with her Stay safe stickers.
💛Made all the rainbows and donated all the money to NHS and paid for them out of her own pocket.
💚For doing an amazing job creating stickers and collecting for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
💙Making rainbows and other stickers for donations for the QE staff, raised loads.
💜For raising money for local hospital and doing things for our community.
❤For all she did for the NHS and gave the community some good spirit
🧡Made a bear hunt in the park for the kids for their daily walk.
💛Making rainbows for the locals to raise money for the QE.
💚Fantastic fundraiser during lockdown.
💙For bringing the community together.
💜Raising funds for local hospital.
❤Donated a lot of money to NHS.
❤It’s lovely to see kids who care so much about the environment, they’ve done a wonderful job raising money for Chester Zoo with their walks, and have improved the local area picking up litter along the way, well done!
🧡For two young people they have took it upon themselves to raise money for an excellent cause and clean up their local area in the meantime.
💛They have done a fantastic job cleaning up local areas raising money and spreading awareness about our environment. Well done x
💚Having a great idea and sticking with it, which can be tough for any age but amazing to see such perseverance in young people!
💙Doing such a great job and inspiring others to get involved too, Charlie is a great role model to other youngsters.
💜For working so hard to raise money for Chester zoo with their amazing litter picking.
❤Such love and appreciation for their environment and wildlife at such a young age.
🧡Walking to raise money for Chester zoo and collecting rubbish in our community.
💛They are amazing and love helping our community, very inspirational kids.
💚Showing they care about their local area and animals.
💙Fantastic using their time to make a real difference.
💜Come rain or shine they were out litter picking.
❤Making a real improvement to the local area.
🧡Doing what they can to help in tough times.
💛Clearing the litter around their local area.
💚Amazing litter picking and fundraising
💙Such maturity and compassion shown.
💜Pleasure to see such dedicated kids.
❤Lovely idea, lovely family.
❤So kind caring and motivated to raise money for Gateshead Food Bank. Little Grace (5) has carried on cartwheeling even after she reached her 2 000 target and is nearing 4 000 now. Tilly (7) learning all times tables up to 12×12. They set out with a target of £50 and now it’s reached £820. I know times are hard but if anyone can spare £1 to help them along the way the Gateshead Food Bank will be extremely grateful (donate here). From a very proud Grandma who lives a long way from Gateshead and can’t wait to meet up and cuddle my granddaughters again xx
🧡Giving 110% to support Gateshead Foodbank, such kind caring sisters. The fair they worked so hard to plan was cancelled after the first lockdown began but they carried on fundraising with lockdown challenges doing cartwheels and learning timetables
💛Beat their fundraising target for Gateshead foodbank
💚What a wonderful thing to do for others, so kind xxx
💙Great to see such dedication in young people
💜Caring for others and having such big hearts
❤You’re a fantastic inspiration, well done
🧡Absolutely fabulous. Well done xx
💛Great Job, fantastic achievement
💚Gateshead foodbank fundraising
💙Such thoughtful girls, well done!
❤They have kept the kids entertained all the way through lockdown firstly with face to face classes then with zoom and doing quizzes and online entertainment for the kids to try and keep them in some sort of routine and to some normality. Helping these kids and young adults some with physical and some with learning disabilities some with anxiety and some with mental health issues. Everyone is welcome and everyone is made to feel welcome everyone is included. I know that my daughter for one would be lost without the support from True Colours. I thank you so much xx
🧡True Colours are an all inclusive theatre group that provide group classes and individual support for children and young adults with additional needs learning difficulties and physical disabilities. They have managed to keep going all the way through lockdown providing much needed support to its members via covid secure classes zoom classes and quizzes community visits and much more. I can’t describe the difference that having True Colours support means for us as a family. It helps with our sons social and emotional well-being which is a massive thing for all of us.
💛This lovely woman who is the founder of True Colours Theatre group took members out in her own free time. This was when families had no support as in seven days per week. She spent an hour per day on face time and calls to various members and families. Santa and Elves for a full day for local Gateshead Community for free. Also free zoom classes support 7 days a week for children suffering with various mental health issues. Also True Colours Theatre group has now become a registered charity.
💚In lockdown True Colours theatre were totally amazing protecting children’s mental health, they had zoom classes and lots of interaction online they also went around on Christmas Eve dressed as Santa and friends visiting socially distanced children to spread joy for Christmas. Please check out their Facebook page to see all the things they have been doing. They even created a Christmas single.
💙They are so inclusive and make everyone feel like one big family. They have worked wonders with my daughter who’s gone from not going out of the house with severe anxiety and asd. She feels at home there where no one is judged. Ali and the team have really brought on her self confidence and mental health she loves going every week
💜A newly formed charity that has supported children throughout the whole of lockdown and when they have been able to operate properly have provided classes and support to children and young adults to help raise their morale and mental health.
❤Zoom classes; 1 to 1 support with individuals; raising money for her newly formed charity and raising the spirits of others at the same time. Involved in social distance Santa and Elves visit.
🧡True Colours Theatre travelled around the area for 10 hours with Santa and his elves on Christmas Eve in a party bus. They sang Christmas songs and delivered sweets to local children.
💛All through lockdown offering zoom sessions one to one sessions weekly activities and projects. In the community with elf visits. Help with mental health
💚They have done so much to keep activities and communication and support going for the members and the community during the lockdowns.
💙My child joined during lockdown #3 they have made her so welcome and are so friendly. Feel so glad to have found this amazing group!
💜All of the staff trustees teachers volunteers for going above and beyond to help families throughout lockdown
❤Keeping vulnerable children in the local community engaged and in touch through regular Zoom classes
🧡Literally my 2nd family and I don’t know where I’d be without them
💛To support local children
💚 💙True colours 🙌🏻
❤A very mature young man using his talents for good and thinking of others. Leo created a free Advent Calendar app from scratch for kids to enjoy and to raise money for Mind mental health charity.
🧡Brilliant idea and a such an important cause now more than ever raising money and awareness for mental health charity.
💛Leo will go far, not only very talented but using his skills to help others.
💚Talented and caring boy, doing what he does best and for a good cause
💙 Should be very proud of doing something to make a difference
💜Fun app for kids with a great message behind it, well done
❤Great work supporting mental health, and fun as well
🧡Fantastic thinking about others during difficult times
💛Lovely idea, great to see such caring young people
💚Fundraising for mental health, well done
💙Super star!!
❤Fabulous idea by Niki and her kids to give people a smile during the snow. Leaving cute little snow ducks all around Wardley and Pelaw. Especially for people who couldn’t get out in the snow but could enjoy finding a little visitor in their garden xx
🧡For making snow ducks and leaving them around the streets in Pelaw and Wardley to help cheer people up
💛Lovely and thoughtful, great fun for everyone finding little snow ducks x
💚Keeping everyone’s spirits up and having a bit of good fun, brilliant
💙Lovely for local kids but great for all ages as well, made me smile
💜We were so chuffed to find them, it was the most exciting thing!!
❤We have loved seeing the snow ducks on our walks, thank you xx
🧡The snow ducks were lovely, they made my kids really happy
💛Such a lovely thing to do, world needs more like you x
💚The ducks were so cute, thank you for making us smile
💙We loved looking for them, it became addictive!
💜So nice to do this to brightens people’s days
❤Really cheered me up. Thank you!
🧡Brilliant idea…. Well done
💛Fabulous idea well done x
❤She’s absolutely amazing and has done a fantastic thing for our community. I walk past Colin every day and love to see all the new stones that have been put down. At a time when everyone was bored and feeling down she gave everyone something to do and lifted everyone’s spirits xxx
🧡Estelle and her son started off a colin the covid snake of painted rocks and asked locals to join in. This started near the pond at Leam Lane and locals have been going down to add their own including me and my sons.
💛Bringing the community together with Colin the Covid Snake, the kids (and grown ups) love it, have never walked round the park so much!
💚Keeping my kids entertained with Colin the covid snake, they’ve loved making stones and seeing everyone’s creations.
💙Starting colin the covid snake in Oliver Henderson park Leam Lane for all of the community to share.
💜A fellow rock painter I know the therapy it offers and enjoyment for both finders and painters.
❤For creating fab Colin the snake in Oliver Henderson park Leam Lane estate.
🧡Starting colin the covid snake, bringing together the community of all ages.
💛Bringing the Leam Lane community together with Colin the covid snake.
💚Bringing the community together through tough times!
💙Amazing job at bringing the community together.
💜It’s been lovely to see everyone pulling together.
❤Brought many a happy face during lockdown.
🧡Introduction of Colin the covid snake.
💛Great idea Colin the covid snake.
💚Colin the covid snake.
💙What a great idea
❤Special thank you to Jessica Willey who worked so hard to make hundreds of rainbows and book marks and gave up her own play time to make these to sell to raise money for the NHS. Jessica provided afternoon tea for NHS staff and brought so many smiles to frontline workers. Also Jessica made Christmas cards and her wonderful mammy collected toys clothes and gift sets for children who would not otherwise receive a gift at Christmas. This little girl is my hero! Well done Jessica xx
🧡Fantastic dedication and compassion at such a young age fundraising for good causes, making rainbows and book marks and surprising NHS staff and care home residents with afternoon tea, then making Christmas cards to buy Christmas presents for homeless children.
💛Can I just say many congratulations to Jessica Willey on her nomination for a Local Hero Award. She is indeed Washington’s own hero. Well done Jessica for all you have done in the last 12 months to cheer so many people up xx
💚Well done the most kind and beautiful girl I know. Jessica Willey you truly are a hero and I’m proud to be your godmother xx
💙Well done Jessica. You’re so inspirational at such a young age. Inspiring us all the way in Florida!!
💜So lovely giving other children a special Christmas, and giving frontline staff a surprise treat
❤Jessica’s continued to show her beautiful kind soul throughout lockdown
🧡Amazing determination, making a difference in people’s lives x
💛Well done Jessica Willey such a kind and thoughtful little girl.
💚Jessica and her family should be so proud of what she’s done
💙A little angel thinking of others and doing her best to help
💜Amazing work, making lots of people happy in hard times.
❤Putting others first at such a young age. God Bless xxx
🧡Well done Jessica, such a little star, amazing work!
💛Jessica is an inspiration, she’s just fantastic
💚Congratulations Jessica you are a ⭐⭐
💙Well done Jessica. U are fantastic x
💜Amazing work Jessica! Xx
❤Well done Jessica Willey
❤She is such an inspiration to all and works so hard to make sure sibling loss is recognised and siblings don’t get overlooked like her and her other siblings did when Darcey died. She has raised £11,990 for her Angel sister’s charity Darcey’s Dream to support bereaved families and siblings. She says she will never stop and is going to continue raising awareness and swimming in memory of her sister forever. She has been through so much and is only 6 years old she truly is an inspiration and our hero.
🧡 Amazing young lady and so brave with all she does for Darcey’s Dream, a North East charity set up by her family to support families and siblings after losing a child. Including doing a a series of charity swims to celebrate her 6th birthday this year.
💛She’s had to deal with so much at a young age and is so strong doing all she can to help others like her, little hero x
💚For being such an inspirational little girl and being her mummy’s rock
💙For focussing on the positives and doing so much good for others
💜Raising a fantastic amount to help others going through loss xx
❤Done so much to raise awareness and vital funds
🧡She is an inspiration to everyone who knows her
💛Emelia-Paige is truly a inspiration to everyone
💚Ray of sunshine, what a special little girl x
💙Inspirational little girl
💜Inspirational sibling
❤Amazing charity
❤Puts on an amazing display in his garden for the kids at Halloween and Xmas every year to raise money for Tiny Lives RVI. This year with so many Christmas events cancelled it was even more special. It brought a tear to my eye to see the bairn’s face light up.
🧡Have always loved going passed since I was young seeing Laurel & Hardy and King Kong, just keeps getting better. It brings a smile to so many people young and old. Stan’s a local legend.
💛Always wonderful to see, so special for the kids this year, events we booked were cancelled so it made our Christmas, thank you xx
💚Thousands raised at Christmas for Tiny Lives in Newcastle RVI, Hebburn Helpers and the Charlie and Carter Foundation
💙Great effort as usual for Halloween and Christmas, always raises so much for charity, top man
💜Absolutely beautiful every time, we always look forward to seeing it, made the bairns so happy
❤Absolutely amazing display, really pulled out all the stops, was magical for the kids
🧡Always love seeing the decorations, was even more special this time, thank you xx
💛Awesome every time. The kids absolutely loved Halloween and Xmas, thank you
💚Stan raises a whopping amount for charity and makes so many people happy
💙Gets better every year, absolutely fabulous, amazing and all for charity
💜Raised over £12,000 for local charities at Xmas, absolutely amazing
❤We loved it, raised everyone’s spirits when we really needed a lift.
🧡Christmas lights were truly stunning. Great work for charity.
💛Outstanding, was just what the kids needed more than ever.
💚Best Christmas show around. Better than Fenwick’s window.
💙Really got us in the Christmas spirit, loved it
💜Absolutely lush display, great job, well done
There’s plenty on Gateshead Mumbler to help keep little ones (and big ones!) busy, check here for more ideas and info for playgroups, classes and fun days out from tots to teens!
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