Meet Northumberland's Stars of 2020 - the incredible people who have helped you get through a tough year

From essential workers to kind-hearted neighbours and volunteers, Gazette readers got in touch to nominate their Stars of 2020 – the champions who have gone the extra mile for communities across Northumberland during the coronavirus pandemic.

And reading your touching comments and messages really reminded us of just how much the county has to be proud of.

So as we head into the final moments of 2020, we’ve put together this round-up highlighting just some of the hard work carried out by your loved ones this year.

They have cooked, helped to you keep fit, made deliveries to the vulnerable and, most of all, made you smile.

Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard during the past 12 months – from those on the front lines to community volunteers and entertainers – and thank you to everyone who sent in a picture or message.

Here are some of your nominations from the Northumberland Gazette Facebook page:

Becky Moffatt: “I’m nominating Kelda Wood because she has come up with a charity called Climbing Out which supports young people who are facing life threatening illness, Injury or trauma since succumbing to trauma herself which limits her mobility.

"She has since helped so many people through lockdown! She’s kept in touch with us, Zoom chats and even virtual and social distanced hikes!

“She’s the first (adaptive) woman to row the Atlantic solo … she’s not stopped at anything even after losing her dad through lockdown and just being diagnosed with breast cancer.

“You’re our (and Climbing Out’s) hero Kelda. Looking forward to our next adventures!”

Charli Mortimer: “Emily Boulter McDonaugh and Charlotte Boulter – the nicest and most selfless ladies I know.

"They would do anything for anyone ... including providing meals to the village, helping the elderly attend hospital appointments, raising money and organising Covid-secure fundraisers for the school, and a lot more!

"They always go the extra mile for everyone and never ask for help!”

Lisa Rowntree: “Charlotte Boulter – this lady is the pillar of the community here in Longhoughton. She puts everyone before herself and her care and compassion throughout this pandemic has been amazing.

"She looks after everyone young and old. She is just amazing.”

Debra Jerdan: “Corporal Ewan Baillie from Berwick Detachment, Northumbria Army Cadets. Ewan made 600 Little Bags of Hope and delivered them to local keyworkers.

"He delivered a Poem of Hope to 500 local residents and on Christmas Morning he delivered 300 Crackers of Hope to the elderly and to local community champions.

"Ewan has lifted the spirits of everyone he has gifted to and deserves to be recognised for his contribution during the pandemic.”

Veda Robinson: “Lyne Taylor-Rowe – our local postie who rallied the villagers in Shilbottle and collected huge amounts of food donations for Alnwick Food Bank during this pandemic. What a star!”

Christine Pentleton: “Team Blue Bell Alnwick, Jackie Mcdougall and family going above and beyond, making lunches in school holidays for families that required assistance, Christmas lunch for vulnerable people without family/support on Christmas day, and much more, always thinking of others.”

Kirsty McNicoll: “My mam Claire Collins, she has nursed my dad for over year with a terminal illness, we lost him on December 23. It’s been so hard but she been so strong. Never complains just gets on.”

Michela Helen Mills: “Caroline Johnson and her husband Marc for helping to community of Shilbottle through the Covid pandemic, thay do a fantastic job collecting donations of food etc then holding drop-ins for the community to pop to collect food.

"They also have regular volunteers that help out at Shilbottle and Hampeth, this is a community pulling together and this couple deserve a lot of thanks for what they are doing.”

Pauline Craig: “Caroline Johnson and Marc Johnson started a charity in Shilbottle to help the community, all they way through both lockdowns and still going.”

Devonn Leigh Wilce: “My daughter Emmie Ann Gattens, eight months old. Born April 19 in the peak of the very first outbreak of Covid-19. She has been my light through this year, kept me going when I was almost ready to give up.”

Kerry Kendall: “My beautiful little boy Henry Kendall.”

Susan Nesbitt Pearson: “Paul Watson, who made hundreds of face shields and also did counter screens so shops could reopen.”

Maggie Chapman: Georgina Hill. Throughout the pandemic, Georgie has organised getting groceries and medicines to those who needed it.

"Always available to help anyone. Always at the end of a phone.

"Also, if anything needs done in our town, she always makes sure its sorted ASAP. One of the best county councillors we know. The town would be lost without her.”

Lorraine Holbrook: “Such a lot of good has come out of this, lots of people have gone above & beyond to help others. Well done to each & every one.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive.

We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

If you can, please do pick up a copy when you are at the shops.

Thank you for your support.