From Super Grans to big-hearted strangers, here's 10 good news stories you may have missed this year

GB News has taken a look back at 10 feel-good stories from across Britain this year that reminded us of the country’s kindness, resilience and quiet decency.

Yorkshire man with rare blood type makes milestone 100th donation

A British man made history this year by donating blood for the 100th time.

Robert Boocock, 61, from York, has B- blood — a rare type shared by fewer than 20,000 across England.

The NHS has reported a significant decline in B- donors over the past year, with around 1,000 people no longer giving blood.

Mr Boocock bucked the trend, and even after joining the small group of people to have donated blood 100 times, he says he intends to continue donating for as long as he can.

The health service described him as an “inspiration”, with his commitment following in the footsteps of his uncle, who donated blood 73 times.

Find out more about his story here.

Pleasure boat ‘overwhelmed’ with community donations after being sunk by vandals

A local community came together in Langport, Somerset, when a “hugely loved” pleasure boat was damaged by vandals.

The Duchess of Cocklemoor takes groups along the River Barrett in Langport, Somerset, and is well known in the area.

The boat, a former ferry built in 1908, had only recently been restored.

Vandals threw mud over the roof, meaning the solar-powered bilge pumps, which keep the boat afloat, were switched off, which led to it sinking.

After it was damaged, a fundraiser was set up and more than 200 people donated money towards its repair.

The boat sustained “a lot of damage” but after £6,000 was raised towards its repair, it was able to make a full recovery.

Read more about the wholesome act of community spirit here.

Pub landlord vows to fly Union Jack flag ‘for good’ after support from GB News viewers

Next on our list is pub landlord Guy Richardson, who had a change of heart thanks to GB News viewers.

He told the People’s Channel that a Union Jack flag that flew above his watering hole in Luton, Bedfordshire, had to be taken down because of his disillusionment with the Labour Government.

But in August, he changed his mind thanks to a huge wave of encouragement from GB News viewers.

He told the People’s Channel that the flag will never be taken down for “as long as I’m here”.

Mr Richardson added: “That flag will fly wherever I move on to.”

More on his vow here.

Hero dad completes nine consecutive ultra-marathons to raise awareness for son’s rare genetic condition

Tom Giles ran more than 250 miles from Bath to Land’s End in just nine days to raise funds and awareness for the rare condition affecting his son.

The 34-year-old father completed nine consecutive ultra-marathons in support of research into Phelan McDermid Syndrome, which his four-year-old son Jenson lives with.

GB News caught up with Mr Giles recently, who, reflecting on the challenge, told The People's Channel the biggest impact came from the awareness it generated, saying he saw “a massive change in our community” simply because people began to understand how rare the condition is.

“More than the funds we raised, it was about the awareness that came off the back of the run,” he said, adding that seeing people unite around a shared goal was “amazing” for a charity supporting such a small number of families.

He also thanked GB News for covering the challenge, saying the support helped create “some amazing stories” and shine a spotlight on a condition that often goes unnoticed.

Policeman’s incredible fundraiser after being left shocked by suicide callout

Scott Caswell, a former army veteran and serving police officer, turned personal tragedy into purpose by undertaking a gruelling 375-mile endurance challenge to raise money and awareness for veteran mental health charities.

Speaking to GB News, he explained that the challenge was shaped by deeply personal experiences, including an incident early in his policing career when he was called to a suicide attempt — only to discover the man was his brother.

He said the support his brother received from Veterans Contact Point ultimately saved his life, reinforcing his commitment to supporting veterans in crisis.

Mr Caswell told GB News that charities such as Veterans Contact Point and Veterans Aid play a vital role in helping veterans navigate mental health struggles, housing, employment and the difficult transition to civilian life.

He added that his work is driven by a desire to better equip police officers to recognise veterans in crisis and signpost them to the right support.

With his postponed charity event now rescheduled for May 2026, Caswell said he has been overwhelmed by public backing and is confident communities will once again rally behind the cause.

Find out more about Mr Caswell's fundraiser here.

Mosque proudly displays Union Jack after act ‘intended to cause offence’

A mosque in Birkenhead turned a moment of potential offence into one of unity after proudly displaying a Union Jack left outside the building in its window.

Speaking to GB News, Ibraham Syed of the Wirral Deen Centre said the gesture was a “strong and powerful response”, adding: “This is our flag and we are proud British Muslims.”

He said the mosque wanted to underline that British identity can take many forms, telling GB News: “We understand this is a country based on Christian faith and traditions and values, but equally we want people to understand that there are people who are equally British who aren’t white and have a different face.”

The act became part of the wider “Raise the Colours” movement, which has seen flags displayed across the country.

Reflecting on the reaction, Syed said he was “overwhelmed with the positivity”, adding that the response showed how “a very simple” gesture could carry “a powerful message” about unity and belonging.

See his poignant moment of unity.

Army veteran uses homemade rowing boat to raise more than £90,000 for charity

Army veteran Michael Stanley, known as “Major Mick”, raised more than £90,000 for charity after completing the final journey in his homemade rowing boat at the age of 85.

Over five years, his Union Jack-adorned boat, Tintanic II, carried him more than 500 miles across rivers, lakes and coastal waters in the UK — and even down the Seine in Paris.

His adventures saw him meet King Charles and earn a devoted following along the way.

Although the Tintanic II has now been retired, Major Mick says he’s not done yet and plans to build a new boat, Tintanic III.

“My daughter calls me eccentric,” he joked, “but that’s alright with me — I could be called worse.”

Read more about his incredible journey here.

Scottish 'Super Gran' with storming performance at Hyrox fitness competition 

Scottish grandmother Carole Munro, 71, earned the nickname “Super Gran” after finishing third in her age group at the Hyrox World Championships in Chicago.

The Aberdeenshire athlete, who took up Hyrox after encouragement from her son, reflected on her achievement earlier this year with GB News.

She praised the backing behind her success, saying the “support from my local community in the run up to the championships with fundraising and sponsorships was incredible”.

Carole also highlighted the inclusive nature of the sport, telling GB News that “the fitness community are so encouraging and welcoming” and that she had made “many new friends”.

Her age-defying accomplishment here.

Stranded couple given ‘Christmas miracle’ as they encounter Good Samaritan train driver

A train driver pulled off a Christmas miracle by making an unscheduled stop to help a stranded couple get home in the early hours of the morning.

After missing their last planned service, Kirill Tsukanov and his wife faced being dropped miles from their station.

Mr Tsukanov made a last-ditch appeal on social media — and the request was granted.

Shortly after 1am, the train stopped at Shelford especially for them.

“It’s like a Christmas miracle came true,” he said, thanking staff for turning a stressful night into a memorable one.

Want to feel in the Christmas spirit? Read this Good Samaritan's story here.

Essex runner completes record-breaking 79 ultramarathons after mother suffered brain bleed

Essex runner Sam King, 32, completed a staggering 79 ultramarathons in 79 days to raise money for brain injury charity Headway UK.

The challenge was inspired by his mother’s fight for survival after suffering a bleed on the brain earlier this year.

Finishing in his hometown of Frinton-on-Sea, Mr King has already raised more than £50,000, with a £74,000 target marking his mother’s age at the time of her illness.

Speaking to GB News, he said: “I thought I was going to lose my mum… but she inspired this challenge.”

He later increased the feat from 74 to 79 ultramarathons so he could finish on a Sunday, allowing more people to come out and support him.

As Christmas draws near, it is worth remembering that beyond the bleak headlines, there is so much to be proud of.

From quiet acts of kindness to extraordinary feats of endurance, these stories show the best of Britain is never far away.

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