This year might not have been the best, but it wasn’t all bad.
2020, eh? Where do we begin? Let’s face it, 2020 hasn’t been our day, our week, our month, or even our year. But it wasn’t all doom and gloom, despite the curveballs thrown our way this year thanks to the c-word we can add to our vocabulary (coronavirus), as we saw Glaswegians pulling together over the nine-month-long storm. To end a crappy year on a high, check out our ten wholesome things that happened over the year that provide you with some faith in humanity.
SEE ALSO: Glasgow Revealed As Third Kindest City In The UK, According To Study
1. The weekly clap for the NHS and frontline workers
Clap For Our Carers began all the way back in March, and saw the whole of the UK take to their doorsteps, windows, and balconies to show their appreciation for the NHS and frontline workers. Every Thursday at 8pm for nearly three months, Brits ventured outside with pots, pans, and anything remotely drum-like to applaud those who put their own lives at risk during the pandemic. It was so overwhelmingly beautiful that Clap for Our Carers will now become an annual event, one which will forever commemorate the hard work and sacrifices of those working on the frontlines. However, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon felt the workers needed more recognition for their hard work this year and announced a one-off Covid-19 thank you payment to NHS staff.
2. Captain Sir Tom Moore won our hearts
Lockdown produced its fair share of heroes, and none more so than Captain Tom Moore, the 100-year-old WWII veteran who raised almost £33,000,000 for the NHS by walking laps of his garden. He’s since received a tribute on the Piccadilly Circus billboards, won a Pride of Britain award, was presented with a military flyover to wish him a happy birthday and was knighted by the Queen – all in recognition of his incredible fundraising efforts. If 2020 has proved anything, it’s that not all heroes wear capes.
3. Glaswegians attended Black Lives Matter protests
In the midst of the pandemic, thousands of Glaswegians took to the streets in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Protesting against systemic racism in the US, UK, and around the world, demonstrators gathered across the city to take a stand. Glaswegians marched for several days with handmade signs in hand, powerful chants at the ready and a mission to create long-lasting change.
4. A law was passed in Scotland to make period products free
Despite being stuck indoors for several months, campaigners continued to carry out change, including some pretty spectacular effects when it came to legislation. In November, we saw Scottish Parliament make real change by passing a law to make all period products free and eliminate period poverty in the country. Scotland is the first country to make this law and with it leading the way on this occasion it makes us hopeful for more influential and positive changes to come in 2021 and beyond.
5. Glasgow became blessed with the first pizza vending machine in Scotland
With many of us moving towards a more contactless lifestyle, this paved the way towards contactless deliveries as well as the first contactless way to order pizza in Scotland. The Pizza Machine, located at the junction on Blackfriars Street and High Street, is an absolute game-changer. The pizza vending machine brings you fresh, hot pizza in only three minutes and we still can’t get over it!
6. A Manc dad cycled all the way to Glasgow to raise money for charity – on a kid’s bike!
Another fantastic effort in the name of charity, local dad Wesley Hamnett cycled all the way to Glasgow on his daughter’s tiny bike back in September, after his charity cycle from Russia to the UK was cancelled due to the pandemic. The incredible journey was in honour of his grandparents, with funds going to Macmillan Cancer Support, Christie Charitable Fund, British Heart Foundation and the Wythenshawe Hospitals MFT Charity.
7. Marcus Rashford saved the day with his child food poverty campaign
The UK government announced that they would not provide children with free school meals over the October half term. Manchester United footballer, Marcus Rashford, launched a child food poverty campaign in response and a number of restaurants, cafes and local businesses stepped in to help those most in need, offering hot meals and takeaway packed lunches free of charge. No child deserves to go hungry, and this valiant effort from Glaswegians was truly heartwarming. This act of kindness was also shown earlier on during the pandemic where a local Glasgow pub provided free breakfasts to children in need.
8. Glaswegians found ways to help the elderly and vulnerable
9. A mural in Glasgow Central station carried a message of love and hope
Pandemic or not, it’s still the most wonderful time of the year! And 2020 gave us more heartwarming murals in the city, including one in Glasgow Central station. Local street artist Sam Bates, aka ‘Smug‘, was commissioned by Network Rail in partnership with Samaritans and Breathing Space, to create the artwork on one of the busiest train platforms in the station. Christmas in particular can be a difficult time for some people and the Glasgow Central mural depicts a hand reaching out across a divide where a second group of hands reaches back, symbolising that ‘helping hands’ of support are available for those in need.
10. The Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine was approved
Last, but certainly not least, is the Covid-19 vaccine! The UK was the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, and this was largely thanks to the valiant effort of scientists, technicians, frontline workers, and volunteers across Britain! 90-year-old Margaret Keenan made history after receiving the world’s first Covid jab on December 8 and it has given us all hope for a much brighter 2021!