As 2025 draws to a close, here are eight local stories from local news and sport that are both heartwarming and uplifting and give us encouragement and hope as we face into another new year and the challenges it will bring.
5. Community support for family
When a Maghera joiner had to give up his job when his premature son, Cahir (pictured) became ill and was readmitted to hospital, the family began to struggle financially keeping up with paying bills.A good friend of Conor and Julie Cleary set up a GoFundMe appeal to help the couple and it raised more than £12,000 within a week. With Conor being the only earner in the household and with two other young children to bring up the couple, suffered what Julie described as a setback and it became difficult to pay bills. Thanks to the generosity of local people the couple managed to get through. "We would like to thank everybody who contributed to the fund," Julie said. "It is a safety blanket for us at this difficult time." Photo: Supplied
6. Soaring career in global fashion
One of the most uplifting stories of the year is the continuing rise of Magherafelt born Jonathan Anderson whose career as a fashion designer just keeps soaring. In 2025 Anderson was appointed the creative director of Christian Dior's women's, men's, and haute couture collections, a testament to his status as a leading figure in the global fashion industry. Photo: Theo Wargo/GA
7. Lights for Flights
For the past four years Cookstown woman Sharon O'Hagan has transformed her home at Burnbank with a stunning display of fairy lights to raise funds for the Air Amulance NI. Her 'Lights for Flights' fundraiser, which has already generated £10,000, runs each evening up until New Year's Eve. All money raised go towards the life saving work of the Air Ambulance which rely on public support to keep operational. Photo: Supplied