Every year we put together a review of the year for the Banbury area. Admittedly things have been a bit different for most people in 2020. So we thought it was best to reflect on the things that have made us smile.
Here's to a happy 2021!
1.
A Banbury woman took to dancing in a giant dinosaur costume to help people smiles during the Covid-19 lockdown in March. Gemma Whitton-Dews took requests from people as she posted videos of herself on Facebook dancing in her 7.5 foot tall dinosaur costume. The dinosaur costume now named 'G-Rex' first caught the attention of her neighbours after she wore it to personally deliver her Mother's Day gift and card to her own mother. Gemma said: "I knew in the current climate it would cheer people up so I thought why not. It’s all about community spirit at a time like this. I walked to my parents house on the Oxford Road to deliver my mum's card and pressie and that's when everyone first saw me. After seeing that Joe Wicks was doing a PE session in the morning, I thought I’d do my own in the costume." Gemma also started an online social media trend to help boost the spirits of people during these uncertain times, which she called Lip sync Lockdown. She said: "The lipsync was just a bit of fun for us all in lockdown.
2. Banburyshire school boy launches fundraising challenge in memory of his father
A Banburyshire school boy launched an inspirational fundraising campaign to help the Thames Valley Air Ambulance Service in memory of his father. Charlie Holland, now aged 11, launched two JustGiving web pages with the help of his mother, Liz, as part of a fundraising challenge in memory of Jason Holland, Liz's husband and Charlie's father. In September Charlie released father's ashes with his mother at the finish line of their 5k running challenge. Charlie and his mother not only completed the challenge, but they helped raise £2,250 for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance service, who responded to the call for help to emergency services for Jason. Charlie said: "My daddy, Jason, passed away on 19th March this year. He was the best dad in the world, and mummy and I miss him so very much. He was my hero. The evening my mummy called the ambulance for daddy some amazing people helped him. They were from Thames Valley Air Ambulance. They rely on charitable donations and I know it is very expensive to run the service
3. Banbury carer among recipients for 'Unsung Hero' awards given for service to community during Covid-19 pandemic
A carer from Banbury who delivered hundreds of food parcels to families during the Covid pandemic was among those to receive an 'unsung hero' award for their outstanding service to the community. The North Oxfordshire MP Victoria Prentis launched an 'Unsung Hero' scheme recognising people who gave back to their community during the pandemic. Prabhu Natarajan was nominated by local residents after initially delivering over 600 grocery items to 25 families in need during the recent lockdown. That number has since grown to more than 1,000. He received the award a few days before Christmas. The MP said in a letter to Prabhu: “Thanks to your hard work and dedication, you have helped make the lockdown periods a little easier for so many. We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to all those who, like you, have worked so hard to support their local community.” The Banbury Mosque also received an 'Unsung Hero' award after volunteers with the mosque and community fridge delivered several thousand isolation food packs to v
4. Banbury volunteer group delivers 1,000 home-made meals a week for NHS through Food4Heroes scheme
A team of Banbury area volunteers packaged and delivered 150 home-cooked meals a day seven days a week throughout the first lockdown for the NHS staff at the Horton General and John Radcliffe hospitals. The group grew to involve more than 80 volunteers, who served as part of a national Food4Heroes scheme helping to provide for the NHS. The team included a group of alumni from Tudor Hall School, near Banbury. The school loaned out its new kitchen for the local Food4Heroes meal scheme. The initiative was led by Hester Sale, and her daughter, Connie, 22, who returned to the family home near Brailes, after being furloughed from her job in London. Mrs Sale, a local cook and Tudor Hall School alumni, said: "The staff at the Horton Hospital have looked after various members of my family over the years so it is lovely to be able to give something back. They are so supportive and hard-working and always have a smile on their faces.” The volunteers prepared, cooked and delivered 1,050 meals per week and delivered more