It is undisputed that this year has been a tough one for everyone, not just in Northampton, but across the country.
With two national lockdowns and months of other restrictions, 2020 has been like no other.
Whether it has been the loss of a loved one, redundancy or loneliness due to isolation, everyone has suffered some form of hardship, so community spirit has never been as important.
Northampton has plenty of neighbourly love and so many acts of kindness have been completed across the town in a bid to look after one another.
So many people carried on working to provide a key service and many more raised money for organisations helping those who needed it most.
Aside from key workers and vital fundraising, residents have also rallied round to support each other and spread some light in community-based ways too.
Here is a round up of just some of the amazing gestures from the people of Northampton during 2020: The year of community spirit.
9. 14-foot T-Rex roams streets to entertain children
There’s not many people who have a five-metre long T-Rex costume gathering dust in their garage, but when lockdown hit and children were stuck inside, often bored, Darren Smith decided to use his one walk a day to make children in the village of Boughton smile. The dinosaur waved at kids through their window and generally brightened up their day. Reggie the T-Rex became somewhat of a hit online and Darren was receiving requests to visit areas all over Northampton. Once restrictions were lifted slightly in the summer, Darren hired a van and visited five different neighbourhoods to spread some joy a bit further afield.
10. Village residents team up to thank hard working shop staff
So many people have continued working throughout the lockdown, including essential shop staff. Residents of Earls Barton wanted to recognise and thank those friendly and hard working colleagues who had kept the village Co-op, which is a lifeline for many villagers, running throughout the lockdown. Around 60 thank you cards were placed on the outside of the shop before staff started their shifts in a bid to surprise them.
11. Toy shop manager donates new bikes for kids after theirs were destroyed in fire
In June, Jodie Goodger’s shed caught fire and destroyed her two eldest children’s bikes, some toys and her husband’s snowboarding equipment. Thankfully nobody was hurt, but the two youngsters were devastated by the loss of their bikes, especially as they were using them more than ever while there was not much else to do as restrictions were in place. One of Jodie’s neighbours is friends with the manager at Smyths Toys in St James and mentioned the fire. The manager got in touch with Jodie and said her children could pick out a bike each and that it did not matter how much they cost. The family were touched and extremely grateful.
12. Mental health notes to help others in need in Bradlaugh fields
During the second national lockdown, Madi Forskitt started writing inspirational notes to help people who might have been struggling with their mental health. The notes included quotes such as ‘keep fighting’ and ‘do not give up’, in a bid to show people they are not alone. 20-year-old Madi stuck the notes to trees, lamp posts and gates in public places, mainly around the Bradlaugh Fields area. She was also hoping to expand more and reach different places further afield.