Ten times Preston was lovely in 2024

Some of the stories which made us smile in 2024

As we come to the end of 2024, we thought it would be nice to do a round-up of the times people in Preston came together to do good things.

Although there were too many things to include, we managed to whittle it down to our top ten times Preston was lovely.

From charity donations to challenges let us celebrate and highlight the people, places and more which make the city a great place.

In no particular order, let’s begin!

1. Family ‘overwhelmed’ as support for Ingol boy battling brain tumour flows in

A fundraiser to help a five-year-old boy from Ingol to battle an aggressive brain tumour smashed its goal. People from across the city raised over £7,000 to support Jenson Lewis who was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma. The family had to travel from Preston to Manchester constantly for life-saving treatment.

2. Good Samaritan helps rescue driver after car crashed into lamppost in Plungington

A Preston woman helped to rescue a driver involved in a crash on Plungington Road in January. 62-year-old Deborah Walklate, who has lived in Preston for more than 40 years, used her previous first aid skills to help the driver who was trapped in his car.

3. Royal Preston Hospital staff join colleague in Ramadan fasting fundraiser

In March a group of more than 100 people raised almost £2,000 for Rosemere Cancer Foundation by joining their colleague with a sponsored fast, for the fourth year in a row.

4. A gruelling 27 hours as Bill Hodgson flips giant tyre 10,000 times

A man from Kirkham flipped a 226kg tyre 10,000 times on Preston’s Flag Market. Bill Hodgson gook on the challenge to raise money for Jordan Jones, 26, from Kirkham who has a brain tumour, leading to more health problems.

Bill Hodgson (left) with Spud Brother, Jacob Nelson and the 226kg tyre. Pic: BP

5. Preston lads clad in just their boxers walk 44km for testicular cancer charity

In April a group of men from UCLan walked 44km wearing just their boxers to raise money for a testicular cancer charity. The group braved Storm Kathleen to raise awareness and money for Oddballs.

6. 89-year-old woman to walk over hot coals for Penwortham charity

89-year-old volunteer at Galloways Society for the Blind, Ann Hyde, walked over hot coals to raise money for local people with sight loss.

7. ‘Angel in human form’ Preston midwife who helps families bereaved by loss in pregnancy

Claire Braithwaite, Lead Bereavement Midwife at the Trust won an award from the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), for the standard of personalised care she provides to bereaved families after a pregnancy loss.

8. Baby Beat’s Royal Preston Hospital shop raises £27,925

Baby Beat’s shop at the Sharoe Green Maternity Unit in the Royal Preston Hospital revealed they raised £27,925 this year. The shop is run entirely by volunteers who sell anything from baby gifts to snacks.

Volunteers, Carol, Julie, Joyce, Barbara, Wendy, Helen and Maggie with Baby Beat administrator Lynn Day.

9. Preston’s Spud Brothers launch 30-hour ‘spudathon’ with all profits going to BBC Children in Need

The viral TikTok duo, Harley and Jacob Nelson took part in a 30-hour spudathon, at Media City in Salford in November. All the money they made through selling jacket potatoes, their TikTok lives and socials were donated to Children in Need.

10. Preston comes together to donate more than 2,000 gifts to Christmas present appeal

Finally, Cotton Court Business Centre and Barnardo’s Lancashire’s Christmas present appeal saw a huge surge in support from businesses, organisations and individuals across the city.

You can find all the times people do good in the city in our ‘Proud Preston’ category. Know someone or something which we should be featuring? Email contactus@blogpreston.co.uk

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