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FOR Kym Marsh, one simple, thoughtful offer from a stranger sums up the spirit of kindness that has blossomed during the pandemic. The actress and presenter was travelling by train recently while recovering from a “horrendous” hernia operation that forced her to take a break from hosting BBC One’s Morning Live. Kym, 44, recalls: “I had asked the train guard if he could help me with getting off the train with my suitcase when I reached my stop, as I could not lift anything. There was a lady opposite who heard our conversation and realised I was struggling. I was with my daughter and we didn’t have any food or drink but I couldn’t face making my way up the carriage as the train was moving so much and I was in pain.
“She reached out and offered to go and get me refreshments. That was such a lovely, simple act of kindness, and meant so much to me. Honestly, I think it’s been the most terrible time, but it has also brought out the best of people and restored my faith in humanity.”
The offer of a cup of tea and a sandwich may have been a small gesture, but it reflects a generosity and compassion that we have all seen in our communities since Coronavirus started to take hold in the UK 12 months ago.
And it is that spirit of selflessness, of taking a moment to think of others, that is celebrated at the M.E.N. Pride of Manchester Awards, in partnership with TSB.
Kym is returning to host the awards once again, and is calling on the people of Manchester to nominate the unsung heroes they think deserve to be recognised.
She says: “This is what these awards are all about, highlighting ordinary people who go out of their way to do good things. This year has been a time for people to think yes, I want to step up and help.
“There have been some amazing big acts of kindness and bravery shown but for me it’s also the small acts of reaching out and the tiny acts of kindness that have also made a difference.
“It is now, more than ever, that we need to be celebrating our heroes, those that have been brave, and those who have got up and carried on fighting.”
As we all eagerly wait for the latest updates on plans to come out of the third national lockdown, and wonder whether we dare plan a week at the seaside in the summer, Kym hopes this spirit of community and everyday bravery will be a lasting legacy of the pandemic.
“It’s been one hell of a year for a lot of people,” she says. “We might not all be in the same boat but we are in the same storm. I really feel for those who live alone, the elderly, those that have been struggling and those who have lost jobs. Charities have found it really hard because they have not been able to do their usual fundraising. Yet there are people out there who are still finding ways to do just that, help and fundraise and carry on making a difference.
“There are so many good people out there who have given up their time, shown kindness to others in their time of need and that community spirit has been heartening. I do think that this awful pandemic has given people the time to reflect and appreciate everything a lot more. Going forwards I do believe we will appreciate the little things much more than we ever did and genuinely take a lot from this period.”
Like many of us, Kym grew closer to her neighbours during lockdown. “It started off with things like dropping off seeds or a cake, or sending a card when one of us was feeling poorly. In the first lockdown my son grew sunflowers and dropped them off, it was his way of trying to cheer people up.
“In our normal lives we’d be out every day, rushing around, missing each other. But the pandemic really has brought people together. So that has been lovely.”
Of course, in the background to the newfound community spirit and kindness, there is always the dreadful cost of the virus.
It is something that has touched Kym and her family - her beloved uncle George passed away in June after falling ill with Covid-19.
“He had been a little bit unwell prior to going into a care home and then he had an accident and ended up in hospital and ended up with coronavirus,” says Kym.
The family were unable to visit him during his final days. “You hear about people losing their loved ones during this time and people passing away alone in hospitals and only a few people attending their funerals. But when it happens to you and your family, it really brings this whole thing home. It breaks my heart to think of him being alone in that hospital and that I was not able to hug my auntie and say sorry.
“I hate it when people say, oh well they were old, it makes me so cross! This virus has taken far too many too soon and it’s been heartbreaking and horrendous.”
During lockdown Kym also faced being apart from her soldier partner Scott Ratcliff while he was on a seven-month tour of Afghanistan as a Major in the Parachute Regiment.
She says: “Lockdown was hard anyway but it was even more so without him because obviously you just want to be with your partner during times like this and support each other. It was scary not knowing if he was going to be ok, and he and a lot of the other boys were delayed coming back. When I finally did get to see him it was wonderful.”
But Kym says she felt lucky as she had her 25-year-old son David and his girlfriend at home with her, and she is also in a childcare bubble with her daughter so has been able to spend time with her grandson Teddy, who will be two in May. “I’ve been very fortunate.”
She has also been kept busy homeschooling her nine-year-old daughter Polly.
Kym – who shot to fame in pop band HearSay, before playing Michelle Connor in Coronation Street – admitted she “doesn’t have a clue” when it comes to homeschooling, but she praised
Polly’s “brilliant” teachers.
“I have a real respect for them,” she says. “It has been absolute madness and I don’t know how they cope. I have one nine-yearold, and can barely cope, and they usually have 20 or 30 in the class. Teachers across the UK have been wonderful this year and we should all be celebrating them. I have to say, when the children do go back on Monday, it will be a welcome return.”
Kym can’t wait to find out who has been nominated for Pride of Manchester and has fond memories last year’s winners.
Covid rules meant the usual red carpet awards dinner was cancelled, so Kym went on the road instead, meeting winners at home and in their communities - within social distancing rules.
She recalls: “There were so many worthy winners but for me it’s the children who I always remember, those who show so much courage and those who go that extra distance to help others.”
She loved meeting Joseph Hibbert, the youngster who has been fundraising for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital ever since he was three despite never having even been a patient there.
Joseph, from Cheadle Hulme, has raised more than £32,000 for the hospital’s charity and hopes to add another £10,000 when he and his friends climb Kinder Scout, the highest point in the Peak District once restrictions are lifted.
“Children like Joseph, who is only ten but constantly thinks of new ways to fundraise for no other reason than that he wants to, astound me.”
Kym was also thrilled to meet Katie Holmes, an inspirational 14-year-old with cerebral palsy.
“She has just a lovely smile,” recalls Kym. “She doesn’t let anything stop her and has inspired so many people across the world.”
With the deadline to nominate for Pride of Manchester 2021 fast approaching, Kym has one final plea to the people of the region.
“I know about the amazing people in my neighbourhood, but need you to tell us about the amazing people in yours.
“If you think they deserve a Pride of Manchester award, then nominate them today and maybe I’ll be turning up on their doorstep with a trophy in a few weeks.”