January
OSIRIS-REx
On September 24th, 2023, OSIRIS-Rex completed its remarkable 7-year, 4-billion-mile journey to Bennu, a near-earth asteroid. This is incredibly exciting news in understanding the universe as a major break-through from this sample could reveal how planets formed, how life began and how asteroids could impact Earth.
Since landing back on earth, the first lid of the capsule has been opened, revealing a staggering 70.3-gram sample of the asteroid. This is more than the team at NASA could have hoped for and they suspect that once everything is open, they will have around 250 grams, greatly surpassing their 60-gram goal.
February
Michael Jordan
To celebrate his 60th birthday, Michael Jordan showed his outstanding generosity by donating $10,000,000 to the Make-A-Wish foundation, setting a record donation size for the charity and solidifying Jordan as the largest ever individual donor.
The NBA star has worked closely with the charity for over 3 decades, providing wishes, hope and joy to countless children. Ever since he granted his first wish in 1989, he has been one of the most requested celebrities in the history of the organisation, showing his tremendous efforts in helping others.
March
‘OBE’ At chester
Zoo
Chester Zoo has opened its gates to a new 10-year-old Andean Bear named Oberon or, as the keepers have taken to calling him, Obe for short. The species, made famous by beloved character Paddington Bear, is facing extinction but Obe’s arrival marks the beginning of a special breeding program to save these wonderful animals. Pacha, the female bear already at the Zoo, is the perfect genetic match for Obe, making this programme extremely promising in introducing cubs.
Chester Zoo now stands at the forefront of conservation, helping to prove that with some effort, the species that are in the most danger can be saved and kept alive on Earth for generations to come.
APRIL
Rob Burrow &
Kevin Sinfield
Displaying their unwavering friendship, Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield completed the 2023 Leeds marathon together, with Sinfield running alongside Burrow in his wheelchair. Since Burrow’s motor neuron disease diagnosis in 2019, Sinfield has been completing charity running events to raise money for his friend and teammate, as well as many others who are suffering with MND. His efforts so far have raised £2.7 million for the cause.The plan at the end of the marathon was for the pair to walk arm in arm over the finish line, however due to Burrow’s deteriorating condition and the effort it took him around the rest of the race, the plan had to be changed. Kevin Sinfield picked Rob Burrow up and walked with him over the finish line so that they could still finish together.
May
Hari Budha
Magar
Hari Budha Magar proved himself a symbol of determination in the face of adversity. After losing both his legs to an IED in Afghanistan, He wated to show that he would not now be defined by his disability. To do this, he set up his mission to become the first double amputee to summit Everest, with the aim of proving to the world that no matter the challenges you face, you can always achieve your goals.
He stood atop the tallest mountain on Earth, triumphant, on May 19th, 2023, inspiring many and destroying stereotypes. Not only this but he also aimed to give back to the five organisations that helped him through his rehabilitation process by attempting to raise £884,900.
Hari Budha Magar has made a huge difference in the world by completing this momentous challenge, becoming a charitable, courageous figure of hope for so many.
June
Charlie Martin
Charlie Martins career is a testament to courage and skill, proving that if you enjoy something, don’t let anything stop you from doing it. She started her racing career in British Hillclimbing, after 2 years of competing, improving and gaining recognition, she began her brave transition from male to female. This led to her taking a break, the sport was very heavily male dominated at the time and so she decided to stop competing for all of 2012. She took that time to consider how her transition would affect her career and figure out who she was, deciding that she shouldn’t let it stop her from doing what she loved.
In 2013 she returned to the sport, by 2014 she was fully back on form and by 2018 Martin was a name to watch as her competitive career grew. Most recently, she has become a FIA, girls on track ambassador and plans to be the first trans driver to compete in the 24 hours of Le Mans.
July
MO Gawdat
He has since used what he’s learnt to write multiple books and spread the secrets of happiness through his programme, one billion happy, where he aims to teach one million people what he knows, so that they can each teach two more and so on. A goal that will teach and help people indefinitely across generations.
August
3 Dads Walking
At 51, Mo Gawdat lost his 21-year-old son due to a mistake during surgery for appendicitis. He said that after experiencing the loss he felt After each losing their daughters to suicide, these three Dads started campaigning to highlight the risk that suicide is to young people who don’t know where to go for help. To do this they have been completing charity walks with Papyrus, a suicide prevention charity, which have taken them across the UK and to all four Parliaments.
Their campaign has mainly focused around bringing mandatory prevention lessons to schools so that young people know where they can go to get help. This has led to their most recent success, meeting the Prime Minister and starting the discussion about really implementing these lessons. Their work has, and will continue to, save many young lives and save their families from avoidable grief.
September
Markus
Rashford
Inspired by the homeless people that he used to see on his way to training, Marcus Rashford has worked closely with FareShare with the goal of making sure that no child in need goes hungry. His efforts have made a huge difference to the lives of countless children, including having enough of an impact for the government to change its policies over free school meals provided during lockdown.To recognize all the work he has done, he has been made an MBE and the youngest person on the Sunday times giving list by raising a staggering £20,000,000 in donations for his campaign. An admirable achievement in charity work to create a real impact.
Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images
October
Dorothy
Hoffner
Dorothy Hoffner, at 104, decided that she wanted to be the world’s oldest skydiver and so she set out to achieve that goal. Boarding the plane in Chicago, On October 1st, 2023, she ascended to the dizzying height of 13,500ft in the sky before she made the daring leap. The descent took 7 minutes consisting of a freefall before the parachute opened, sailing her back down to Earth. Once back on the ground, she was already thinking about what her next adventure would be, saying that she might want to try a hot air balloon next. Her daredevil attitude will be an inspiration to many, proving stereotypes wrong and showing that if you want to do something you can just go out and do it.
November
Tobias Weller
All his efforts have been inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore, earning him the nickname The Captain. His challenges started with him walking the length of a marathon, but he knew he could do more so moved forward, onto running a marathon in his Race Runner. However, still not finished, he later began his final challenge, completing an Ironman.
78.6 miles run
2.5 Miles Swum
112 Miles Cycled
£150,000 Raised
December
Kaya Kristina
When the COVID lockdowns hit, she noticed more and more walkers and their dogs and so decided to upgrade her garden café by adding treats, sticks and toys for the neighbourhood dogs. She also began posting the photos people would send on social media gaining a following for what became known as ‘Starpups’. Through this, people came together in and outside of her local community helping her and many others beat their loneliness during the lockdowns. Kristina’s kind-heartedness and generosity are a staple of community and the effect that we can all have on each other, coming together during hard times.