The Liverpool ECHO has sat at the heart of communities across Merseyside for over 140 years.
Our reporters work tirelessly week in, week out, to highlight injustices, help those in need and give our readers a voice.
Whether it's sharing a fundraising campaign that generates thousands of pounds or holding authorities to account, it's these kinds of stories that make our jobs worthwhile.
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As 2021 draws to a close, we've rounded together a handful of stories that show how our reporters and the people of Liverpool have helped someone from Merseyside.
Nan returns home after devastating fire thanks to kindness of community
A nan was able to return home after a devastating fire thanks to donations from people across the city.
Marina Wynne, 85, lost everything when her Croxteth home went up in flames in a matter of minutes on Friday, March 19.
She took shelter in the kitchen where two neighbours, who were driving past at the time, rescued her.
But Marina refused to leave the house without her husband Ted's ashes - the only item that she managed to be salvaged from the fire.
The 85-year-old spent the following six weeks living in a care home after she was unable to return home due to the extensive smoke and fire damage.
People across Merseyside came together to help Marina after reading the story in the ECHO and raised £5,770 in donations.
It was thanks to this money that Marina's son and grandson were able to renovate the house and bring her back home on June 14.
In a letter, shared by the ECHO, Marina thanked everyone who helped her get back on her feet from local businesses and workmen to people in the community.
Marina said: "Thank you all so much for the kindness and generosity I will never forget what you have done for me."
Mouldy 'hell' house where family-of-seven lived in dire conditions set for major renovation
A black mould, damp and rat-infested house that made life a misery for a struggling family-of-seven will be subjected to major renovation work after the ECHO intervened.
Rashid Yousef, 54, and his wife Ashweq spoke out in desperation after five years living in shocking conditions with their children, aged between four and 17, in a Victorian terrace in Bedford Road, Walton.
The family suffered breathing issues, including asthma, which doctors say was related to the damp and mould, while the conditions also prevented Rashid from recovering after a serious workplace accident that has left him in constant pain and barely able to walk.
The house was the responsibility of Torus - one of the largest providers of social housing in the North West.
After the ECHO contacted Torus ahead of publication in November, the company said it would look into the family's situation.
In a later statement, Torus accepted the property had "fallen below the standards expected" and said it was "working closely with the family to find suitable accommodation" while repairs were carried out.
Rashid told the ECHO in December he was "very grateful" but was waiting to see what alternative accommodation could be provided.
Dad with terminal cancer finally gets his Premium Bonds back
A dad with terminal cancer finally got his money back after the ECHO intervened.
After being diagnosed with terminal kidney cancer back in March last year, David Grant, from Whiston, was keen to get his affairs in order.
However, despite trying to withdraw the money he had in Premium Bonds since the start of April, David said he was left £100 out of pocket after numerous phone calls and emails.
David said he was initially unable to withdraw the money because he had lost his account number, and he was told it could take up to 12 weeks to send him a new one.
He was then sent a new number in the post but was still unable to access his account.
David said he was then told he would receive his money within five working days of sending a withdrawal form but he still didn't receive it.
David told the ECHO: "I could die at any moment. I'm hanging on by the skin of my teeth.
"It's not bothering me that I'm dying, it's bothering me that I'm being messed about by these people.
"I wouldn't like anyone else to hang on to any money that's owed to me."
After being contacted by the ECHO, National Savings and Investments said they were in the process of investigating David's withdrawal.
And the following day, David contacted the ECHO to say he had now received his money back.
David said: "I cannot tell you how grateful I am for all you've done for me."
Man's nine-month fight for £1,600 refund from SCS reaches solution
Steven Evans contacted the ECHO after he was left struggling to get a £1,600 refund from SCS.
The 54-year-old moved into his home in Hale Village in August 2020 and purchased some flooring from his local SCS store in Speke the following month.
Steven said staff were nice and helpful in the store but the problems started to unfold when the flooring came to be fitted in October.
He claimed five rolls of underlay for the carpets were not needed during the work as well as other items which he asked for the company to come and collect.
Steven said it took until May for the goods to be picked up from his home and he spent nine months waiting for a refund of around £1,600.
However, after being contacted by the ECHO, SCS said their customer service team had now resolved the issue.
Steven said: "I'm very thankful, it's only a pity it took the directors to get involved to resolve the issue."
Thousands raised for popular cake maker who lost everything in fire
A popular cake maker received an outpouring of support after a fire at her home "destroyed everything."
Laura Worthington, owner of Laura's Little Bakery, lost her business and her home back in May after a blaze started in her kitchen.
The fire damage was so extensive, it meant Laura and her family were unable to return to the rented property and had to find somewhere else to live.
The fire alarms didn't go off, with the fire service telling Laura she and her family were lucky to be alive.
The baker received an outpouring of support following the fire, with £6,000 raised in donations in less than 24 hours.
Laura was touched by the support and generosity of friends, customers and kind strangers, keen to help her and her family.
Speaking to the ECHO in October, Laura said she has now bounced back and her business is "busier than ever".
Liverpool FC reverse ticket decision for fan after the ECHO steps in
An autistic man with learning difficulties who had been declined for a photo ID fan card was able to go to Anfield after the ECHO stepped in.
Jonathan Smith, 60, from Connah's Quay, has followed Liverpool FC for more than 30 years and is a season ticket holder, but due to his condition cannot use smartphones on his own.
Jonathan's sister, Melanie Hughes, decided to come along with him to the friendly against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield stadium on August 7.
Melanie used her phone to download the ticket for her brother for the game, which was the first time the club's new paperless ticket system had come into force.
After that match, Melanie contacted the club to get an application form for a photo ID card, enabling Jonathan to get into Anfield on match day.
But she later received an email to say Jonathan had been declined for a photo ID card because she had previously used the phone to get in and he should download the tickets.
After trying to call the club and "spending hours trying to use the online chat", Melanie said she was told to email the disability team, and they didn't reply.
But when the ECHO contacted Liverpool FC, the club's ticketing department jumped into action.
Melanie said an officer called her, opened Jonathan's file and immediately printed off a photo fan ID card, which he will be able to collect from the ticket office before Saturday's clash with Burnley.
She added: "I will sleep tonight"..
Family of mum who died of cancer get refund on cancelled holiday after decision overturned
The family of a mum-of-two who died just five days after her cancer diagnosis was refused a refund by a popular holiday company because it was cancelled too late.
Sykes Cottages only agreed to provide a refund to the devastated family after being contacted by the ECHO.
Mark Whyte, the partner of Danielle Duffy, a teacher and mum who died in October, was originally denied a refund by Sykes Cottages after he tried to cancel the trip.
Mark and 38-year-old Danielle had intended to go for a celebratory weekend away for their birthdays on November 19 at Pennington Cottage in the Lake District.
But following Danielle's death from a 'cancer of unknown origin,' grieving Mark cancelled the booking.
Despite previous correspondence from Booking.com showing a full refund would be given, Sykes Cottages refused to waive the £425 cancellation charges, despite the tragic circumstances.
Mark's dad, Adrian Whyte, said Sykes Cottages hadn't "shown any empathy" and "seemed keen to profit from this tragic loss."
After the ECHO contacted Sykes Cottages, they said they would be happy to provide a refund to the grief-stricken family.
New date set for completion of County Road roadworks
Back in October, the ECHO spoke to residents on County Road in Walton about the issues facing the area that they believe had gone on ignored for too long.
One issue that dominated the conversation was the state of the road surface which had become worn from years of heavy use and attempts to fix it had stalled, leaving it in a state of disrepair.
Work has been disrupted along the road since May, as then contractor VIAM, previously trading as Kings, underwent a dispute with the City Council before going into administration later in June.
This has resulted in parts of County Road 's dilapidated road surface remaining un-repaired with only some parts of the road repaved.
In other parts of the road the works remain incomplete.
Businesses owners and residents voiced their frustrations to the ECHO in October, outlining how the current state of the road is damaging cars, footfall and is a health hazard for pedestrians.
The report was successful in getting the city council to outline a timeframe to complete the road repairs.
Responding to the ECHO, a spokesperson for Liverpool City Council said that a new contractor, Huyton Civils, had now been appointed and will be carrying out an assessment of the works in the coming weeks.
The new contractor would also carry out any remedial works in the immediate time frame.
The spokesperson added that it was hoped the full works will be completed early in 2022.
