Liverpool is proudly a city of heroes, with 2020 highlighting more than ever there is no place with a bigger heart than our beloved city.
Full to the brim with selfless characters, we wanted to shine the light on some of the many people of Liverpool who have giving their all and some, during a year full of uncertainty.
Speedo Mick
Charity Fundraiser extraordinaire Speedo Mick completed a 1000 mile walk from John O’groats to Lands’ end, in his signature speedos, goggles and hat to raise awareness and vital funds to start up new projects in his local area.
The charity walk helped raise funds for community projects for disadvantaged young people, creating opportunities to bring people together to overcome isolation and experience positive attention and affirmation and to hopefully broaden their horizons.
The charity walk has raised £508,825 so far and continues to keep increasing long after the walk was completed earlier in the year.
Donations can be made via Fundraiser by Michael Cullen : SpeedoMick 1000 mile charity walk in me shreddies (gofundme.com)
Phill Hayward
Camell Laird FC Coach and PE Teacher, Phill Hayward has been running 10km a day since 1st September 2020 and will continue to run 10km every day, for an entire calendar year, to raise money for Wirral Mind.
Phill’s aim is to help support as many people as he can and to keep pushing himself to raise vital funds to support bereaved families as well as those suffering in silence. Wirral Mind provides services to adults in the local community with mental health problems and learning disabilities. Services, such as counselling, drop-in sessions, supported housing and befriending have developed in direct response to unmet needs within the local community and are free and open to all.
Donations can be made via Phill Hayward is fundraising for Wirral Mind (justgiving.com)
Fans Supporting Foodbanks
Fans Support Foodbanks, an initiative between Liverpool FC and Everton FC footballsupporters, has continued their quest tackling food poverty in the city even throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the initial lockdown period FSB also designed, produced and distributed free PPE, Producing lifesaving full face visors and scrubs to organisations such as The Royal Liverpool Hospital, North West Ambulance, nursing homes as well as other groups of key workers.
Kirkdale ABC Boxing Club
Kirkdale ABC which provides boxing and fitness classes, shown its support to local vulnerable residents of the city by delivering food parcels during lockdown.
The Boxing off Lockdown Team included Head coach Paul Davis, Coach JJ Cunningham, Lifelong member Luke Davis, Coach Ste Harkin, lifelong members Brendan Wyyatt and Joe Ellis, which seen the team delivering meal packs/shopping bags daily to local vulnerable residents.
Dominic Lipscombe
During the coronavirus epidemic Dominic and the team launched both My Food Bank Finder (a system designed to make the process easier for those who use food banks in any capacity) and Help Bank Finder (to help support with the help of distributing PPE).
Raising funds to provide key workers with the correct PPE to help protect staff as well as save lives, the team behind My Food Bank Finder provided their services for free and making no money on their own behalf.
Dominic also launched a Christmas Appeal project, which seen over 120 care boxes created and distributed to people in need within the city.
Dave Critchley
Dave Critchley, Executive Chef of Lu Ban restaurant created LIDS (Liverpool Independent Delivered Services) an online marketplace to support local independent businesses during lockdown.
Alongside his passion for supporting local business Dave has also worked with food banks throughout his career and with LIDS is working to get quality food to those most in need through their community partner Knowsley Kitchen. When people shop with LIDS, they have the option to donate to LIDS Give – this money allows Knowsley Kitchen alongside their community partners including Homebaked Anfield to supply fresh produce to vulnerable and struggling members of the community.
You can shop with LIDS, keep local business going and give back to the community at www.thelids.co.uk
Aintree Gin
Local distillers Aintree Gin helped support NHS staff during lockdown by using excessive stocks of ethanol to produce antibacterial alcohol-based sanitiser.
The team provided sanitiser, face masks, face shields and bio suits during the coronavirus outbreak, with profits raised from all purchases on their website where donated towards more emergency PPE supplies during this period.
Samantha Taylor
Samantha Taylor and her team of volunteers worked around the clock to produce the necessary protective equipment to help saves lives during COVID-19.
Scrub Hub Liverpool made free scrubs, washbags and headbands for NHS staff across Liverpool, helping to support the lack of PPE across the city during unprecedented times.
Liam Starkey
The Inclusive Hub is a truly awe-inspiring project, not only helping children and adults of all abilities and ages keep active through the coaching sessions but is also an outlet mentally for those who may not of had the opportunity due to disabilities or behaviour problems.
Liam and the team notice there was a huge demand in the service the hub was providing for disabled children and family respite. The hub has a massive positive influence across the city, providing general fitness as well as a sense of community to those who are affected with Autism, ADHD, Behaviour issues, Down Syndrome.
To join any session people can simply visit our website www.rotundainclusivehub.co.uk
Olly Harrison
Local farmer Olly Harrison organised a convoy of around 80 tractors to form a magical Christmas convoy to make their way around the streets of Liverpool, all in the aid of raising funds for Alder Hey Children’s Charity.
The event has raised up to £35,000 so far and will see the funds help ensure the 330,000 children treated each year have access to the best facilities and equipment. The event is also encouraged food donations to Fans Supporting Foodbanks.
To help support you can donate to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital on Olly’s JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tractorslitup
City of Liverpool FC
City of Liverpool FC In the Community launched ‘The Big Scouse Toy Appeal’ to help make children of the city in need enjoy a magical Christmas.
The campaign provides new toys and gifts for children aged 0-14 years of age, ensuring they all had something special to open on Christmas Day.
The team also run ‘Football for Everyone’ with the scheme ensuring that people come together to play football from all communities free of charge, giving people access to healthy activities that they may otherwise been excluded from.
Visit www.cityofliverpoolfc.co.uk
Kit It Out
Liverpool based organisation Kit It Out have been providing free football kits for underprivileged children, as well as helping provide uniforms and food for those in need.
So far, the campaign has received hundreds of donated kits, which have been distributed across various community centres within the city.
To make a kit donation contact @Kititout1 on social media.
We would like to thank these Liverpool heroes as well as thousands of other heroes from the city region. THANK YOU! ❤️
