Words by Smiley Team
It’s not the easiest task, you might think, finding positive news stories in the midst of a pandemic. But circumstances have brought people together rather than tearing them apart, with a multitude of mutual aid groups and individuals diligently supporting the most vulnerable through this difficult period.
To celebrate all acts great and small to tackle Covid-19, here are our top picks from the uplifting stories we’ve covered since the outbreak of the virus.
If anything demonstrates determination and goodwill, it’s primary school teacher Zane Powles, who has walked over 750 miles, delivering more than 10,000 meals to deprived pupils in Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire. When asked why he insists on travelling by foot, he explained: “People have offered me a lift but I walk because it’s so important,” he explained. “By walking I pass people on the roads, families who I can ask how things are and check up on them. The ones I don’t deliver to have asked me for support with using digital devices and with their online learning.”
From the small act of one man, we turn to the mass rollout of meals across the country. FareShare has been working at full throttle to tackle hunger throughout the pandemic, delivering an astounding average of 2 million meals a week. FareShare CEO, Lindsay Bowell, said: “We’ve been humbled and overwhelmed by the support shown by our volunteers, corporate supporters, partners, funders, and by the thousands of people who have donated to our emergency appeal.”
Working hardest of all are the frontline health workers at the NHS, who recently benefitted from a little treat distributed by the John Lewis Partnership. The company sent out care packages containing non-clinical essentials such as deodorant and socks as well as snacks and drinks to offer respite and support as they continue to fight Covid-19.
Frequently hitting the headlines, the plight of the homeless people and renters was particularly exacerbated by the pandemic. So it came as a relief to many, including homeless charity Crisis, that the government would channel an additional £10 million in funding towards council support for homeless people and that they would extend the ban on evictions in all but the most extreme cases.
Tackling disinformation with accurate facts on Covid-19 vaccinations, Google launched its Get the Facts initiative across Youtube and Google platforms. The company has expanded its information panels on Google’s search engine to cover over 40 countries and dozens of languages, with more to come. It is also challenging inequalities in access to the vaccine through an investment of $150 million into organisations tackling Covid-19 and reaching out to underserved communities.
