It’s been a long, often challenging, year for a lot of us.
But amongst the setbacks, the struggles and the ongoing challenges we’ve all faced, there have been glimmers of hope and inspiration.
Emotional reunions, incredible gestures of goodwill, and stories of triumph against adversity.
Here's a round-up of just some of the people in Greater Manchester whose stories have warmed hearts across our region this year.
Inspirational firefighters whose families were devastated by dementia take on marathon in full fire gear
Running the marathon is a feat in itself but running one in full fire gear is on a whole other level.
Firefighters Ryan Jones and Andy Ball both completed the Manchester Marathon earlier this year - wearing full fire protection gear and breathing apparatus.
The 34kg of extra weight was made up of trousers; fire coat; breathing apparatus tunic; a flash hood and gloves in their pockets; helmet; and a BA (breathing apparatus) set on their backs.
The pair were able to raise thousands of pounds for dementia and Alzheimer's charities.
Ryan, who finished in six hours six minutes and 58 seconds, said: "The first 16 miles I was running most of the way then I hit a wall.
“My dad, John, cycled along the route and he kept me going. I wouldn't have finished without him. The kit got very heavy with sweat and blisters were popping. The support from the public was amazing."
Couple married for over 60 years are reunited after 12 months apart due to Covid
Hitting us right in the heart was this story from February, of a Bolton couple married for over 60 years, being reunited after a year apart.
83-year-old Stanley Harbour moved into Lever Edge Care Home in Great Lever, Bolton, in September 2019 due to deterioration in his dementia.
Then the pandemic hit, and Mavis, 81, was unable to visit her husband for a year due to Covid-19 related visitation restrictions at the home.
The pair felt 'lost without each other' - having been inseparable since a chance encounter which sparked love at first sight in the late 1950s.
“I’ve missed him so much that I got overwhelmed and just cried," Mavis said. "I’m so happy."
“I never want to be away from him again. I feel lost without him.”
How act of kindness outside Aldi transformed mum's 24 hours from hell
A mum said she will “forever be thankful” after strangers helped her during a stressful time.
Suzanne Wilkinson was coping with a sick child and a string of errands when two people helped her in Tyldesley in just ten minutes, first, with cash, when she realised she had forgotten her card, and then with her dog.
Small gestures which made a huge difference to Suzanne, who said: “I will forever be thankful for the kindness that you showed me when my head was literally falling off.
“I will absolutely repay the kindness as often as I can.”
'Being gay is very fun and God loves me for me', says the new Vicar of Didsbury with an amazing story to tell
Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Augustine Tanner-Ihm took on the role of vicar curate at St James and Emmanuel in Didsbury earlier this year.
Having grown up in a poor childhood and facing obstacles for being gay - such as being forced into conversion therapy - he says he has been able to come out the other side.
“I’ve realised that me being queer, Black, Christian and American are all important parts of my identity,” he said.
“They make up who I am."
Eight-year-old boy's incredible gesture for dogs' home
An eight-year-old boy who is "obsessed" with animals raised hundreds for a Manchester dog's home after saying he wanted to do something to help dogs who don't have a home.
Harley Wright, 8, from Stockport, encouraged friends, family, neighbours and supporters on social media to donate spare change and dog products to his fundraiser - and it’s something he’s done for two years now.
"We call him our own little Dr Dolittle,” explained proud mum Tilly Forth.
“He is so in love with animals and he would have every single one of them if he could.
"He has three dogs of his own and it just breaks his heart to see dogs without a home, so he just wanted to help and give them a nice Christmas."
Pianist, 81, who lives with dementia 'came alive again' fulfilling dream of conducting an orchestra
An 81-year-old man living with dementia and struggling with memory loss fulfilled a lifelong dream when he conducted a symphony orchestra.
Paul Harvey became a viral hit last year when a video of him improvising a two-minute piece from four notes was shared widely on Twitter.
Earlier this year, Paul was invited to conduct the BBC Philharmonic playing two of his compositions at their studio in Salford.
Paul, a former music teacher and classical pianist, said: “It was magical, it was very, very special to work with such wonderful musicians.
“It made me feel alive, I couldn’t believe that an orchestra was playing my music and I was standing in front of it conducting them.”
Boy's heartwarming mission to thank hospital staff who saved his life
Luca Feno-McBride, seven, was given another chance at life after a gruelling battle with a brain tumour.
He was just four when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
While recovering, little Luca has wanted to give back to those who look after him and has raised thousands for charity.
“He is still just a normal seven year old who wants to play with friends and go to school,” mum Carla said.
“He has always remained happy and fun right through his treatments."
The inspiring story of refugee Mo, who found a new family at school in Wythenshawe
When Mohammad Kak arrived in the UK from Syria in 2016, he barely spoke any English - but by 2018 he was Head Boy at Manchester Enterprise Academy in Wythenshawe.
Earlier this year, he was offered a place at South Wales University to study aviation.
Speaking about the impact of staff, and in particular his 'hero' James Eldon, Principal at Manchester Academy, Mo said: "The staff at MEA have helped me in a wide range of ways. Mainly, they have always ensured that I'm doing well in my education. Also, the school staff have always provided me with the confidence to speak and learn from my mistakes.
"Mr Eldon is the person who I would like to credit for helping me in my school journey. He has made me the Head Boy at MEA, which really helped me develop my communication and leadership skills. I was very proud to have that position and still am.
"It is because of Mr Eldon who gave me this huge opportunity, it is he who made me who I am today."
The beautiful friendship that started with a coffee and grew through grief and the pandemic
Bob Liddell, 78, and Graham Smith, also 78, are just two of the many regulars at the Caffe Nero store in Altrincham.
To anyone looking at them, they seem like lifelong pals - but they only got to know each other as they both dealt with grief during the pandemic.
When Graham lost his wife, he would rely on his visits to his local coffee shop to take his mind off things. And the same happened when Bob lost his wife.
“Last year brought us closer together,” Bob says.
“It’s just the two of us now. I like to think we’ve been a big support for one another.”
Mum who had to use foodbanks to survive now runs her own business earning £30k a MONTH
Mum-of-three Ellie Burscough, 35, fell on hard times after leaving her job in a call centre just one week before having her first child.
Living on benefits and relying on foodbanks, Ellie found herself in a "really, really scary" place.
But, having taken the plunge and launched her own business coaching enterprise, she's standing on her own two feet and inspiring others.
She said: “I believe a lot of women, especially mums, feel like they can’t start a business because they’ve got kids.
“They say they are time poor or energy poor and their kids come first.
“But I think it’s important to do it for yourself and your kids.”
The 15-year-old with OCD who now works for Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Molly-Mae Hague
Zykiah Ditchett, from Worsley , was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder at the age of 13 after concerns were raised over his “constant” cleaning at home.
But, now 15, Zykiah has found a way of turning his love of cleaning into big business and now washes cars for celebrities – attracting big name customers such as Molly-Mae Hague and Gary Neville.
His career began when his mum, Jo Ditchett, put a post in a local Facebook group explaining Zykiah’s love of cleaning cars - and it went viral within hours.
“We had a queue of cars down the close and down the next street,” Jo said.
“Everyone jumped on and supported him.
“He did it that well they asked to come back.”
The young Royal Manchester Children's hospital fundraisers recognised at the Pride of Britain awards
Two inspiring youngsters who have helped raise thousands for the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital were among the winners at this year’s Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards.
Hughie Higginson, 10, and Freddie Xavi, 11, have raised more than £200,000 after Hughie was diagnosed with leukaemia and Freddie vowed to help him thank his doctors and nurses.
Georgia Sleigh from Royal Manchester Children's Hospital said: “Freddie and Hughie are just incredible – words just don’t do justice to how inspiring they both are.”
