Although there have been many stories of sadness and heartache in 2017, as the year draws to a close we at the Wandsworth Guardian wanted to share our 10 most heart-warming stories as a little reminder there is still good in the world.
The list, though not exhaustive, is a little taste of the goodness and kindness people in the borough have shown throughout the year.
Here is our list:
‘Brain-damaged man uses eyes to propose and hospital helps him marry’
A man who suffered severe brain damage from which doctors said he would never recover has tied the knot with his sweetheart at a Putney hospital.
Ian McKenzie, of St German’s Road, collapsed after proposing to his then-girlfriend Doreen, but after intensive rehabilitative therapy got married at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability.
‘Hospital doctor and husband donate organs from late son, 9, so other children could live’
A St George's Hospital consultant and her husband who donated their nine-year-old son's organs after his death are urging other parents to do the same in order to save lives.
Alfie Scott, who had learning difficulties and registered as blind, gave his kidneys, corneas in his eyes and liver cells to others who required life-saving treatment.
‘A ’seriously ill’ Putney youngster has had his garden transformed by a children’s charity’
A 'seriously ill' child from Putney has had his garden transformed complete with a trampoline, climbing wall and play equipment by volunteers.
Charity WellChild hired a group of volunteers to renovate 11-year-old Terence’s garden in Huntingfield Road.
‘Mum praises Tooting hospital which saved her newborn twins’ lives’
A mum has praised the Tooting hospital that saved the lives of her twin boys.
Sarah Rose waited 14 hours before she could hear her newborn sons Isaac and Lucas recovered from life-saving surgery at St George’s Hospital.
‘Nurse travelling on crashed bus went to aid trapped passengers’
A heroic nurse ran to the aid of injured bus passengers after a double-decker bus crashed into a shop in a busy Battersea road.
Agency nurse Amy Mullineux, 40, treated people after a 77 bus crashed into Poggenpohl Kitchen Design Centre in Lavender Hill.
‘Mum of toddler with rare disorder publishes book to fundraise a cure’
The mum of a toddler with an incredibly rare disease has published a children’s book to help fundraise a potential cure.
Mikaere, who is 14 months old, cannot walk, crawl or keep his head up unsupported as he suffered from non-ketotic hyperglycaemia (NKH).
‘St George’s Hospital: baby given life-saving surgery at record four months pre-due date turns one’
The youngest-ever patient to undergo an operation at St George’s Hospital turned one this year.
Abi Peters was born extremely prematurely at 23 weeks and needed emergency surgery at six days old.
'Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability: storekeeper who raised £125k retires after 45 years'
A hospital’s staff member who raised £125,000 after running in more than 30 marathons has retired following 45 years of service.
Catering storeman Lolo Leyenda raced in 33 London Virgin Marathons for Putney’s Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability in West Hill.
’12 cats and six dogs rescued from fire at Putney Animal Hospital’
Twelve cats and six dogs were rescued from a fire at Putney Animal Hospital after a tumble dryer became engulfed in flames.
None of the animals were injured as firefighters wore breathing apparatus in Clarendon Drive on September 18.
Isabella Lorusso donated all her birthday presents to the children staying in the pediatric wards at St George’s Hospital.
The Carshalton schoolgirl brought large bags of gifts with younger brother Alessandro and mum Edi on May 31.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here