The good news stories that kept us going in 2020

In this difficult year, our writers and editors pick their favourite stories of 2020

Marcus Rashford received an MBE following his campaign for free school meals  (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Andrew Woodcock, Politics Editor

Marcus Rashford welcomes government U-turn on free school meals campaign

“The political good news story of 2020 had nothing to do with a politician, as football star Marcus Rashford stepped forward with the kind of leadership that was so sorely lacking in Westminster. After snide remarks early in the pandemic about pampered football stars needing to give up some of their wages to help others, the Manchester United forward built a remarkable wave of public support behind the simple proposition that no child should be allowed to go hungry. In a PR masterclass that is probably being studied by spin doctors as we speak, Mr Rashford deployed poignant reflections on his own childhood and deft amplification of the outpouring of generosity on social media to force Boris Johnson into not one but two massive U-turns, winning the MBE in the process.”

Katie Davies, US Editor

Powerful video of Biden comforting son of school shooting victim resurfaces: ‘It’s going to be okay’

“Okay, I admit it — describing a two-year-old video as news feels a bit like cheating. But when a 30-second clip of Joe Biden hugging the son of a Parkland shooting victim started recirculating on social media last summer, it somehow created one of the lasting memories of this year. A video shared for purely political reasons managed to speak to many of the broader themes of 2020: the pain of grief, the relief of human contact, the importance of empathy. This year more than ever, a video of a simple hug seemed more resonant than ever.”

Ellie Harrison, Culture Reporter

‘I would crawl through glass to work with John Boyega’: Actor receives mass support from filmmakers after Black Lives Matter speech 

“For me, this story really captures the sense of defiance and togetherness that has characterised 2020. John Boyega’s tearful address at a Black Lives Matter protest in June went viral after he said: ‘“I need you to understand how painful this s*** is. I need you to understand how painful it is to be reminded every day that your race means nothing.’ As the crowd cheered him on, Mr Boyega said: ‘I’m speaking to you from my heart. Look, I don’t know if I’m going to have a career after this, but f*** that.’ It was incredibly moving to see filmmakers tweet their support for him after this, with Charlie Brooker writing: ‘I would crawl through a barrel of broken glass to have John Boyega even so much as *glance* at one of my scripts.’”

Olivia Alabaster, News Editor

‘I’ve already lost my home in Syria. I don’t want to lose another’: Refugee starts new job as NHS hospital cleaner to fight coronavirus pandemic

“The stand-out story of the year for me was that of Hassan Akkad, a Syrian refugee who took on work as a cleaner at an NHS hospital in London. Having worked as an English teacher back in Damascus, and working most recently on documentaries in the UK, Akkad felt compelled to take part on the frontlines of the coronavirus response in his new home. Speaking to our reporter Zoe Tidman in April, he said that, ‘The horrible news I was hearing about nurses and doctors at the front getting infected motivated me to take on the job,’ Hassan said, 'because I knew disinfecting and cleaning would help.” He also successfully spearheaded a campaign for the government to include migrant cleaners and social care workers - not just nurses and doctors – in the bereavement scheme for the families of staff who died from Covid. Akkad’s story is one not just of positivity in the face of such misery, and of how the pandemic has brought out such moments of humanity, but also one of a global Britain, and how lucky we are that people who have lost their homes choose to make a new one here.”

David Harding, International Editor

Pandas mate for first time in 10 years after coronavirus shuts down zoo

“Not a whole lot of good has come out of the coronavirus. But the story of reluctant two middle aged lovers in Hong Kong finally being brave enough to make a move was enough to warm the heart in even the best of years, let alone 2020. Ying Ying and Le Le had lived together for 13 years without a spark. But all the pandas needed was a bit of peace and quiet. And when coronavirus forced the Ocean Park zoo in Hong Kong to close, they finally overcame any shyness, revelled in the absence of crowds, and in late January it was announced that Ying Ying was pregnant. It was actually due to the pandemic that they overcame any awkwardness and got together. A rare tale in a desperate year."

Ben Burrows, Sports Editor

Jos Buttler auctioning off his World Cup winning playing shirt and raising £65,000 for charity

“Jos is one of the nicest guys in cricket but auctioning off the shirt he wore on the best day of his career was him going above and beyond for a good cause. As he told us when we interviewed him, memories of that famous day at Lord's are more than enough.”

Sirena Bergman, Editor of Indy100

All the teenagers trolling Trump on Tiktok

“The run-up to the election was the stress literally no one needed to top off 2020, but in the midst of Donald Trump's endless – and increasingly bizarre – rallies, it was the Gen-Zers who came to our rescue with a ray of creative sunshine. They popped over to Mr Trump's derided TikTok to turn trolling the president into an art form, and succeeded in making him look, well, rather foolish to have underestimated them. It was quite a moment. We think the kids are alright.”

Sophie Gallagher, Deputy Lifestyle Editor

10-year-old Max raised £87k for a hospice by camping in his garden for eight months 

“Captain Sir Tom Moore might have been crowned our NHS hero and drawn the Queen out of lockdown to be awarded a knighthood, but he was far from the only one doing their bit to raise money during the pandemic. In November it was revealed that 10-year-old Max Woosey from Devon had slept in a tent in his garden since March in a bid to fundraise for a local hospice. Not only is Max’s commitment admirable in British weather, but the story was particularly heartwarming because he’d been inspired to do so after the death of his 74-year-old friend and neighbour Rick, who died at the hospice in February, and had gifted him the tent.”