Here's who you chose as your 2020 heroes for Denbighshire

The Free Press was inundated with requests after putting a call out asking for readers to put forward individuals that deserve a special mention for doing good deeds in 2020.

Julie O’Hara nominated Leah Roberts of Denbigh and the Forget Me Not project.

She said: “Leah has led the development of Forget me not, which started as a volunteer drop in for carers at the Plas Pigot, just before the virus hit.

“Its turned into a massive undertaking, and they have supported people through the lockdown, shopping, picking up prescriptions, walking dogs, just about anything really for people who were shielding or unable to get out.

“This Christmas she has also got sponsorship and funding from local businesses for hampers and toys for people in crisis. She has a little boy Arlo, a husband and works as a cancer specialist nurse.

“She will not want to be nominated and will be embarrassed, I’m sure, saying its other people not her, this is what she’s like, but without her drive and compassion these things don’t happen. Her late mum, who she lost very suddenly and dad, who is in a care home, would be so proud of her - she is a legend.”

Meanwhile, Vicky Mann nominated a dedicated pair of runners.

She said: “I’d say Sally Smith and Manon Wilkinson deserve a mention for their 52 Parkruns raising just over £15,500 for the Welsh Air Ambulance.”

Rhyds Jones nominated his partner Rebecca Wood (pictured together below), from St Asaph, who is deputy manager of the Aldi store in Rhyl.

He said: “The story begins with a very scared and frail 95 year old couple walking into a manic Aldi when the first lockdown was being announced.

“Becs noticed them having difficulty in the crowds and offered to help them with they’re shopping. That day they exchanged numbers and the dear old couple, Silvia and her husband, were told if they needed anything they need only call her.

“By the time the first lockdown was in full swing Becs became worried that the little old couple hadn’t been in to shop for a while. When she called them, Silvia told Becs that they had been waiting for three weeks for a food parcel from the council but nothing had turned up.

“Becs rallied to get a food parcel sent out to them and meals were made for them. As Christmas was fast approaching, she called the couple again to check up on them, she was told the sad news that Silvia’s husband was gravely ill in hospital and that Silvia was desperately alone with no friends or family, there wasn’t a card or a decoration to be seen.

Rebecca Wood has helped Silvia have a Christmas to remember.

“Again Becs rallied around and asked all Aldi staff to write her a Christmas card and donate a present. For Christmas, Silvia received three boxes of presents, loads of cards and Becs organised a food bank to make her a 3 course Christmas dinner.

“This girl is an angel in my eyes and I’m so proud of her.”

Meanwhile, Linda Griffith nominated Ruthin All Styles Music Club’s Chris and Jayne Birchall (above), who have been keeping people entertained virtually throughout the Coronavirus pandemic.

Linda said: “I’d like to nominate Chris and Jayne Birchall who run Ruthin All Styles music music club. The club used to meet every Thursday in the Feathers in Ruthin but obviously that stopped in March.

“Every Thursday since, without fail Chris and Jayne have presented an online music evening. They dress up and totally embrace it. This was always more than a music club. but they really have been a lifeline through this unimaginable year. Thank you both.”