Good News Tuesday: Week 1

Quote of the day: “Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud” – Maya Angelou

I think now more than ever it’s important to focus on the positives in life. Which is why I have decided to do my own Good News Tuesday, the Gee Word edition!

Every Tuesday (I will do my best to remember!!) I will post a blog showing 5 good things that have happened in the past week. Now, there is lots of good news out there so I will do my best to cover a range of topics. So…no pressure!

Most importantly though, if you’ve heard a piece of good news, please do let me know! It’s all about putting the positive vibes out into the universe, and even just for a moment, forgetting about the stressful times we are all going through.

SO let’s get straight to it! Here is this week’s good news (in no particular order):

1. ‘Stormzy to donate £10 million to black British causes over 10 years’

“Black people have been playing on an uneven field for far too long and this pledge is a continuation in the fight to finally try and even it.” - Stormzy

Stormzy, one of the most popular British rappers at the moment, announced over the weekend that he plans to over the next 10 years donate £10 million to black British causes to continue the fight against racism in the UK. This pledge will also help to promote and highlight young black talent through BBC Radio 1xtra.

Stormzy has always been outspoken on racism and racial inequality. Whether it’s in his music, interviews, his Glastonbury performance or his recent appearance at a Black Lives Matter protest in London. Let's not forget also that in 2018 he announced scholarships for two black students attending Cambridge university, expanding this scheme further in 2019. And for all these reasons, it’s clear to see why people admire him.

From the protests we have seen in America over the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and many others I think this will further highlight that racial inequality is prevalent both in the US and the UK. Many people play the innocent card and say that the US is worse than our home turf. However, we can’t feel too righteous as we have multiple flaws too.

FURTHER GOOD NEWS WITH THIS: Children in Need have matched Stormzy’s donation and state this ‘additional funding will go even further to create opportunities.’ See what happens when people come together and fight for change

2. ‘Ford and Mustang car fans rally for terminal cancer treatment’

‘Car enthusiasts have raised about £45,000 to help a man secure private treatment for his wife who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.’

Now this story definitely brought a smile to my face. Whatever your passion is, it places you in a community with people who are just excited as you are. And this, my friend, shows the true meaning of community.

Kim Scholefield was told she had less than a year to live. Her husband, Rob, put his prized Ford Mustang 2016 5.0 GT (which he only bought 2 years ago) up for sale to pay for treatment. They needed £15,000 for treatment, and they sold the Mustang for £30,000.

As much as Rob, and any car enthusiast, is passionate about his pride and joy all he had to say was:

“As much as I love my car, I can always get another car, I can’t get another Kim.”

Simply Mustangs UK saw the advert and through different fundraising efforts raised £45,000 for Kim’s treatment. Ford UK also heard about the family’s situation and have given the family a Focus estate as an “open-ended” loan.

Ford Mustang owner drove past the dealership when the family's loan car was given to them

If this story isn’t a tear-jerker then you are made of stone! These groups were able to shine a beacon of light in what can only be described as a trying time for this family. This goes to show that you are never alone in times of hardship.

3. Wild Bison are returning to England for the first time in 6,000 years!

6,000 years can give you such a crick in the neck!

The European Wood Bison is going to be reintroduced to the British countryside. The project is planned to begin in Spring 2022 when 3 females and a single male Bison will be able to roam and reproduce in Britain.

And why is this good news you ask?

According to the Good News Network: ‘Bison kill weak or dead trees by eating their bark or rubbing against them to remove their thick winter fur. This turns the tree into food and habitat for insects, which in turn provide food for birds. The resulting pocked of sunlight allows new plants to grow, replenishing the woodland.’

European Bison in Germany

European bison were hunted to extinction in the wild but have been reintroduced from captivity. These magnificent creatures will be able to diversify the British landscape for years to come.

4. ‘Students ‘overwhelmed’ after the landlord gives them ‘good tenant bonuses’ on top of returning security deposits.

Just reading this headline made me jealous! Now i'm not saying all landlords are nasty or whatever, but it goes to show that even in the realm of student accommodation, there is a knight in shining armour.

Seven students that had lived in Leeds for 3 years got a fairly amazing leaving present from their landlord: ‘…when it came time for the landlord to say goodbye, he not only returned their deposits, he added a 20% bonus and strangers far and wide were applauding the kindness’

One of the students from the University of Leeds posted a screenshot on Twitter, sharing the conversation she had had with her landlord, John, and received 265,000 likes.

I mean if anyone deserves a medal today its this fella for sure!

Ahem Ahem. If my landlord is reading this, you are the best, you are fabulous… now can you help a girl out?

5. ‘Amputee schoolboy Tony Hudgell raises £320,000 for NHS’

In the early stages of lockdown, Captain Tom Moore decided to raise money for NHS Charities Together by doing 2.5km, 100-lap garden challenge at his home. Unknown to him at the time, but 3 months down the line he has raised over £32 million. It's fair to say when people found it tough at home, seeing Captain Tom Moore’s progress inspired hope.

Not only has he inspired others to get fit, but also to raise money for charities during the pandemic. And this is where Tony Hudgell steps in…

Tony, who is 5 years old, had to have both his legs amputated after ‘suffering horrific injuries from his biological parents, when he was a baby.’ He has only had his prosthetic limbs for only a year; it’s fair to say he is putting them to good use. He said he wanted to raise £500 for the Evelina hospital the saved his life by walking every day in June to reach his 10km challenge, but has since raised more than £320,000.

Paula Hudgell, his adoptive mother, stated: “He saw Captain Tom walking with this frame in the garden, and he said ‘I could do that.’ Then we decided to set this challenge and raise some money for the Evelina, that saved his life.’

So if both Captain Tom Moore and Tony Hudgell can raise money for charity, so can you.

And that rounds up this week’s The Gee Word Good News Tuesday (abbreviation is in the works.) My own personal good news is that I have been a blogger for over 10 days! I’ve stuck with it, hashtagged every post and gaining more followers as I go. Thank you so much for the support it means a lot.

See you again soon!