Below are some of the finest stories inspired by our community from the first national lockdown to help raise your spirits once more.
In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.
1. Ashfield ballet dancing teen raises thousands of pounds in lockdown dance-a-thon.
Ruth Lamb, 14, practised her ballet acrobatic and lyrical routines at home for more than 72 hours to raise more than £7,000 for John Eastwood Hospice Trust and other charities. Photo: Handout
2. Two marathon men from Sutton in Ashfield ran up cash for a children’s cancer charity.
Lee Roberts and Ryan Griffiths signed up for this year’s London Marathon but the event didn’t go ahead because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Determined that Children With Cancer UK wouldn’t lose out on precious sponsorship, the two runners decided to run the marathon in Nottinghamshire instead and raise vital funds with the help of their community and a few celebs. Photo: Handout
3. Mansfield bank staff's 'three million step' challenge.
A Kirkby bank manager set up a three million step fundraiser challenge - with members of staff each walking 367,000 steps to represent how many people are diagnosed with cancer each year in the UK. The goal of the initiative was for staff members to raise at least £2,000 which was then matched by Lloyd's Bank and kindly donated to John Eastwood Hospice. Photo: Google
4. Mansfield man completes endurance challenge.
Dave Wilkinson, from Mansfield Woodhouse, who served with the Royal Signals, completed 250 laps of the running track at Berry Hill Park in his rugby wheelchair in 11.5 hours.
He had already done 100 kilometres earlier in June, so has completed 200 kilometres in total. Dave smashed his £1,000 fundraising target by raising more than £1,550 (about £1,800 including gift aid) for the Royal Signals Charity. Photo: Handout