With so much happening around the globe right now, people are doing their best to look out for others and make the world a better place to live in. Here, Claire Monahan shares a few stories that are sure to bring some cheer to your day.
Comedy awards encourage conservation during the crisis
The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have been established to celebrate great photography and encourage the conservation of animals. They are accepting entries until the end of June and have already been flooded with funny images of animals from around the world. Credit: Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards on Facebook.
Helping others under one sky
We’re all being encouraged to stay at home but for the world’s homeless, this is not an option. With this in mind, a not-for-profit organisation called Under One Sky has been delivering food and essential items to homeless people in London, who have been badly affected by the drop in donations from passers-by. Volunteers also offer a listening ear from a safe distance and aim to build relationships that will last way beyond the current crisis. Credit: @under_1_sky on Twitter.
#UnderOneSky #Volunteers loading up the pallets for the evening. We can serve over 500 people a night across all of our teams. #london
— Under One Sky (@under_1_sky) May 22, 2020
📷@thebanfield @punjab1946@stories_4change @Telegraph@guardian pic.twitter.com/jNIoEntk0s
Socially Distanced Prom for North Carolina Nanny
A 7-year-old boy in North Carolina went above and beyond to surprise his nanny with a socially distanced prom in his backyard. Curtis Rogers knew that his 17-year-old nanny, Rachel, was disappointed after her senior prom was cancelled and set about planning the surprise. He prepared a special meal for her in his back garden, where they ate their favourite after school snack and danced while maintaining social distance. Curtis even donned a suit with a bow tie to match Rachel’s dress. Due to lockdown rules, they hadn’t seen each other for two months and Curtis was delighted to treat Rachel, who he described as the "best nanny ever". Credit: @bhchapman on Twitter.
My daughter has been a nanny for this amazing kid for over a year. When he realized she wouldn't have a senior prom, he wanted to throw her one. He planned a socially distant prom, complete with dancing & her favorite foods. @somegoodnews @ABC11_WTVD #bestpromever #SomeGoodNews pic.twitter.com/8T8LY3DQZw
— Becky Chapman (@bhchapman) May 26, 2020
Virtual Balloons race to raise money for MS Ireland
Charity events all over Ireland have taken a hit due to the pandemic, but this didn’t stop the Multiple Sclerosis Society from coming up with a novel way to raise funds. Last Saturday was World MS day and 9000 virtual balloons were launched into the skies – one for each person living with the condition in this country. Supporters purchased balloons and tracked their progress in the race, using a computer programme linked to Google Maps and weather data. Credit: @MSIRELAND on Twitter.
Hey, @DublinAirport just flagging that there will be 9,000 Virtual Balloons flying on #WorldMSDay Saturday night. 1 for each of the 9,000 people in Ireland living with MS.
— MS Ireland (@MSIRELAND) May 29, 2020
In case air traffic control sees something unusual!🎈😂
Sign up➡️https://t.co/7WiT2HEmCu#9000Balloons pic.twitter.com/qUnqHUGpZv
Holding still in uncertain times
Hold Still is an initiative from the UK’s National Portrait Gallery which aims to capture the spirit of this extraordinary time. People of all ages are being encouraged to submit photos that fall under the themes of Helpers and Heroes, Your New Normal and Acts of Kindness. Shortlisted portraits will form a virtual exhibition at the end of the year while a selection of photos can already be viewed on the Gallery’s social media pages. Credit: nationalportraitgallery on Instagram.
