Harwich and Manningtree residents who brightened up 2020

Back in April, during the first wave of the Covid-19 outbreak, Harwich couple Darren Newman and Maria Stephenson made it their mission to deliver vital PPE to local hospitals.

The couple raised about £2,000 in donations and dropped off the equipment to five hospitals in May.

That same month Marjorie West, a decorated war hero, managed to raise an astounding £35,000 for the NHS by walking laps of her garden.

The 99-year-old completed 200 laps of her garden, in Dedham, taking inspiration from Captain Tom Moore.

In the same village Nathan Jones and his son Noah, 11, started a lockdown art project which went global.

When Mr Jones realised how much Noah, who has cerebral palsy, was enjoying using a paint brush, he put a call out on social media asking artists to complete the paintings Noah had started.

To date, more than 250 artists from across the globe have sent Noah their designs on top of his background pieces.

A book was also created with profits going to the Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity.

During the summer Melanie Miller, from Little Oakley, shared how she “fell back in love” with Harwich through paddleboarding.

Paddleboarding gave her a new perspective of the town, and she urged others to take up the hobby.

She said it is a great hobby for people of all shapes, sizes and fitness abilities.

With the virus cancelling so many fundraising events, residents had to think outside the box if they wanted to raise money for charity.

In October, iron-pumping pensioner Derek Eade bench pressed 30kg a total of 500 times for Cancer Research at his local gym.

The 74-year-old, from Lawford, had planned to take part in the Race For Life, but as it could not run as usual, he set himself the fitness challenge instead.

During the same month, 89-year-old Flo Osbourne, from Dovercourt, became a social media sensation for baking hundreds of pies for elderly and vulnerable residents.

Her kindness was even recognised by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who sent her a personal letter of gratitude.

In November, mum-of-two Suzanne Howe bravely opened up about having incurable cancer.

The 49-year-old was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer which had spread to her liver in August.

She shared her story to remind people just how important it is to contact their GP if they are feeling unwell.

Suzanne also praised NHS staff for their “amazing work” throughout the pandemic. That same month, Laura Mathias became an ambassador for for Models of Diversity, a charity which advocates diverse representation in the modelling industry.

Laura, 29, from Manningtree, lost her hair due to alopecia when she was just 13 years old.

She now hopes others with the illness to learn to embrace their baldness - and she is also on a quest to redefine society’s limited conception of beauty.

With Christmas looming, a group of tree surgeons decided to strip off for a charity 2021 calendar.

Marvan’s Tree And Landscape Services, based in Ramsey, created the risque calendar to raise money for mental health charity, North and Mid Essex Mind.

In December, the North Essex Support Team (NEST), founded by Dovercourt resident Les Nicoll, announced it had delivered 5,000 hot meals to those in need during the pandemic.

The NEST volunteers will be continuing their efforts into 2021.