Captain Tom Moore’s charity walk named highlight of 2020 by British public

A third of people polled described this year as the ‘worst of their life’

A third of people polled described this year as the ‘worst of their life’ (REUTERS)

Captain Tom Moore’s charity walking success has been named as the highlight of 2020 by the British public. 

A poll of 2,000 UK adults saw Captain Tom’s fundraising achievements top the list, ahead of a reduction in pollution and a new appreciation for key workers, as positives to be found from this year.

Another 31 per cent picked Marcus Rashford’s pioneering work helping to feed hungry children, while a fifth were just happy that others staying out of their personal space has become the norm.

For some, having more opportunity to exercise has been rewarding, as the British public take their health, fitness and well-being more seriously.

It comes after more than a third described this year as the ‘worst of their life’.

But while there’s no doubt it’s been a terrible year for many, 46 per cent believe they will emerge from it a stronger person.

Another four in 10 believe the events of this year will also help the nation as a whole to become more united.

Ashley Mealor, chief marketing officer of Vision Direct, which commissioned the research, said: “While 2020 has been a year to forget for many, our results found there was actually lots to smile about.

“Positives ranged from personal achievements like getting more DIY jobs done at home, to nation-wide reasons to be cheerful like a new appreciation for the NHS.

Other things Brits have liked about the year to date include enjoying a slower pace of life in general, and an increase in hand-washing.

More than one in five have embraced the opportunity to read more, and 15 per cent enjoyed not having to sit next to people on public transport.

The study, carried out via OnePoll, found most Brits believe life won’t return to ‘normal’ until 2022 or beyond.

But in terms of personal achievements, one third of adults feel proud to have adopted a healthier diet this year, while 24 per cent have cut down on their alcohol intake.

Ashley Mealor added: “It’s funny now to think how much we all took for granted that we’d love to do now — even things as simple as shaking someone’s hand.

“Things like using the slower pace of life as a way to reconnect with family, have additional time to exercise, and take personal health more seriously — these are all attainable even when life is back to ‘normal".

THE TOP 50 THINGS BRITS HAVE ENJOYED ABOUT 2020

1.       Captain Tom Moore's charity walk

2.       Less pollution

3.       A new appreciation for key workers like medical staff

4.       Marcus Rashford's work feeding children

5.       Saving money

6.       Enjoying their homes and gardens more

7.       A new appreciation for supermarket or hospitality staff

8.       Seeing the country come together to support the NHS with rainbows in their windows and clapping

9.       Enjoying a slower pace of life

10.   An increase in people washing their hands

11.   More time spent with family

12.   A surprisingly long, hot summer

13.   Reading more

14.   An improved sense of community

15.   People now being forced to give you space — which you would want anyway

16.   Spending more time outdoors than normal

17.   People being nicer to each other and smiling more

18.   Getting home improvements/DIY done

19.   Experiencing the countryside, which is right on the doorstep

20.   No commute meaning longer lie-ins

21.   Spending more time with pets

22.   The Himalayas being visible for the first time in 30 years in North India due to reduced air pollution

23.   Saving money on new clothes

24.   More opportunity to exercise

25.   The progression of the Black Lives Matter movement

26.   Not having to sit next to people on public transport

27.   Having more time to spend on existing hobbies

28.   Not having to go to big social events and parties with people you hardly know          

29.   Getting more into cooking

30.   Saving money that otherwise would have gone in the pub

31.   Discovering great new TV series on Netflix

32.   Getting to know your own neighbourhoods better on walks

33.   Having more family meals

34.   Spending more time with children in general

35.   Not having to plan expensive holidays abroad

36.   The new David Attenborough documentary

37.   Picking up new hobbies      

38.   Getting evenings back

39.   Catching up with people virtually

40.   Liverpool ending their 30-year wait to win the Premier League

41.   Joe Wicks' PE lessons

42.   Zoom quizzes          

43.   The arrival of Pakistan, West Indies and Australian cricket teams for international cricket

44.   The TV show 'Normal People'

45.   Having time to get inventive with ways to spend evenings

46.   Not having to go to client meetings

47.   Musicians live streaming on Instagram

48.   The new Borat movie

49.   Leeds being promoted to the Premier League after 16 years away

50.   Being able to take kids on the school run

SWNS