IF THERE is one positive to take from this uncertain and worrying time, it is the humanity that continues to shine through in our communities.
Be it financial, mental or physical trauma, the coronavirus pandemic - and subsequent lockdown - has affected us all.
But it's vital we look towards, and celebrate, those doing good in our society; those who selflessly offer their charity; and those who simply want to put smiles on people's faces.
Here's a full list of all the positives stories we covered last week.
This paramedic couldn't have dinner with her family in Cwmbran because of social distancing - so her mum served it in the garden
(Amy Carpenter enjoying her meal.)
A MUM from Cwmbran treated her NHS worker daughter to a slap-up meal - in her front garden to stick to social distancing.
Hard-working paramedic Amy Carpenter, 31, loves her home-cooked dinner every week with her chef mum Linda.
But Amy has not been able to go inside her mum's house due to coronavirus guidelines.
Quick-thinking mum Linda, 61, decided to treat her daughter to social distance dining - by setting up a table and chairs in her front garden covered in a tablecloth.
Drivers beeped their horns as they passed the heartwarming scene in Cwmbran, before Amy started a night shift.
Caerphilly family 'stunned' with response to Welsh anthem appeal
(This family want us all to sing the Welsh national anthem. Picture: Chris Tinsley.)
A FAMILY from Caerphilly who are experiencing a particularly tough time in lockdown have come up with an idea which has garnered tens of thousands of supporters across Wales and even further afield.
The Evans family - mum Sarah, dad Scott, Harrison, six, and Finley, three - from Newbridge, thought up the idea of a mass doorstep rendition of the Welsh national anthem following the first “Clap for Carers” display last Thursday.
After being “overwhelmed” by the community spirit shown, Sarah and Scott Evans discussed the possibility of getting as many people as possible to sing on Monday, April 13, three weeks since Boris Johnson asked Britain to stay at home.
“We thought it would be the perfect time to sing the national anthem, whether we are celebrating coming out of strict distancing measures, or if we’re singing in solidarity because we have to knuckle down and keep doing as we are,” Mrs Evans said.
Newport mum's coronavirus fundraiser for Aneurin Bevan staff hits target
(Abbie Merrett, from Bettws, said the response had been 'amazing'.)
A NEWPORT woman has said a "massive thank you" to everyone who helped her raise £2,000 for NHS workers in Gwent in just seven days.
Abbie Merrett set up the fundraiser to help re-supply Aneurin Bevan University Health Board's staff with vital equipment needed to tackle the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak.
And one week later, Ms Merrett, from Bettws, said she was overjoyed at the "amazing" response from members of the public.
"I’m so glad I’ve reached [the target] and I’m so glad that money will help in every way possible," she told the Argus.
Ms Merrett will now incorporate the £2,000 into a separate fundraising scheme, set up by the local health board itself a few days after her own appeal launched.
Coleg Gwent gives coronavirus PPE to Aneurin Bevan health board
('The nation is extremely grateful for the dedication and commitment shown by frontline staff.')
STAFF at Coleg Gwent have donated protective equipment and an oxygen generator to the local health board for use on the coronavirus front lines.
The Gwent-wide further education college said it wanted to donate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) after hearing how some NHS workers in the UK were struggling to protect themselves.
"The nation is extremely grateful for the dedication and commitment shown by the frontline staff who are caring for our loved ones during these unprecedented times," Ian Rowe, of Coleg Gwent, said. "Communities have shown support and appreciation by applauding our National Health Service from our doorsteps at 8pm on Thursday evenings, but Coleg Gwent staff want to do more, on a practical level.”
The young man using his own money to drop off care packages to elderly
(This young man has been dropping of packages for the elderly. Picture: Chris Tinsley.)
A NEWPORT man has been making free “care packages” for his elderly neighbours during the coronavirus lockdown.
Brandon Llewellyn, 22, from Bettws, said two of his neighbours have “cried in front of me on the doorstep because they couldn’t believe what I have done for them”.
Mr Llewellyn, a customer services assistant at B&M in the Kingsway Centre, is using his own money to make the “little care bags”.
Newport flat for just £1 for NHS workers fighting coronavirus
PAIR of kind-hearted siblings are offering a flat in a prime Newport location to NHS workers who may have someone vulnerable living at home - for just £1.
Rachel and Rhydian James own the flat, which is within walking distance of both the Royal Gwent and St Woolos Hospitals in Newport.
Miss James said: “Our tenant moved out and instead of using it for our own benefit by getting a new, paying, tenant, we thought we’d like to be able to give something back to those who are putting their lives at risk for us.”
Juventus and Wales star Aaron Ramsey saves Newport charity and donates to Gwent health board
(The Welsh star has made several charitable donations over the last few weeks.)
WELSH footballer Aaron Ramsey has come to the rescue of a Newport charity helping homeless and vulnerable people, after the charity organiser called for help last week.
Tariq Khan, who runs Feed Newport CIC and Help the Homeless Newport, made a plea for help from a "big corporation" last week and said it was likely the charity wouldn't survive the coronavirus lockdown period without significant financial help.
But now, after an incredible donation of £3,000 from the Wales and Juventus footballer, the organisation can afford the rent at its hub on Commercial Road in the city centre.
Aaron Ramsey gives Gwent NHS charity £10,000 for coronavirus fight
WALES star Aaron Ramsey has donated £10,000 to the fundraising effort begun earlier this week to help Gwent's NHS cope with the demands of the fight against coronavirus.
Caerphilly-born Ramsey posted this message - "we are very grateful for all your efforts and hard work" - with his donation.
He is one of more than 500 people who have donated to the page in less than 48 hours, and the total now stands at an amazing £21,565.
Newport's The Pod providing health workers with free meals during coronavirus chaos
(The Pod has launched their 'Buy an NHS Hero Dinner' initiative to help give meals to frontline staff.)
A NEWPORT restaurant is spearheading a campaign to give something back to the health workers keeping us all safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Pod in Clarence Place has launched their 'Buy an NHS Hero Dinner' initiative to help raise funds to provide meals for frontline staff.
"We want to create and deliver healthy, nutritious meals to our NHS heroes and give them one less thing to think about during these testing times," said owner Paul Young.
Welsh Ambulance Service receive overwhelming response to call for volunteers
(The trust's director said they were 'absolutely delighted'.)
MORE than 1,500 members of the public stepped forward in just 24 hours to respond to a call for volunteers and temporary roles within the Welsh Ambulance Service as it manages its response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Individuals from across Wales, including past and retired staff, have registered their interest in a variety of roles across the service following an appeal by the Trust last week.
Claire Vaughan, the Trust’s executive director of workforce and organisational development, said: “We are absolutely delighted by the response we received to our online appeal.
A1 Skips donate and deliver a skip full of drinks to the Royal Gwent Hospital
('We thought it was necessary to help them out.)
HOSPITAL staff working hard to battle the coronavirus outbreak have been given a refreshing donation from a Newport company.
Last week, A1 Skips donated a skip full of soft drinks, including more than 100 bottles of Lucozade, Coca-Cola and Pepsi, as well as coffee and tea, for staff at the Royal Gwent Hospital.
Lee Covell, who took over running the company last month, said: “We wanted to help the staff who are currently under additional demand due to Covid-19 and thought it was necessary to help them out."
Ebbw Vale artist creates poignant collage to recognise NHS staff
(Nathan Wyburn's artwork is made up of 200 NHS workers' Facebook pictures.)
AN ARTIST from Ebbw Vale has spent his time in lockdown creating an amazing piece of artwork dedicated to frontline NHS staff battling the coronavirus pandemic.
Nathan Wyburn, who is well-known around south Wales for his weird and wonderful creations, including Simon Cowell on toast and Michael McIntyre with marmite, revealed his latest piece on Sunday.
The artwork shows an NHS worker with a protective face mask, and is made up of 200 NHS workers’ Facebook pictures.
Asked about what prompted him to design the work, Mr Wyburn explained: “Most of my friends work in the NHS and are on the front line of this pandemic every day – I’m always in awe."
Newport Civic Centre turned blue for NHS coronavirus support
(The clock tower was lit up blue as a sign of support for NHS staff. Picture: Chris Tinsley.)
THE tower at Newport's Civic Centre was lit up in blue this evening as a show of support to the health and care workers battling to save lives during the coronavirus pandemic.
To coincide with the nationwide Clap for Carers minute of applause at 8pm, the tower, at Newport City Council's offices, was bathed in blue as the clock chimed.
Newport council's leader Jane Mudd said earlier today the move was "a small gesture to show our appreciation for [the] fantastic efforts" of medical staff in Newport and beyond.
Cllr Mudd paid tribute to NHS staff and carers for their "tireless and selfless" work during this time of crisis.
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