For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails
The people celebrated in The Independent on Sunday’s annual Happy List come from all corners of the UK and all cultural backgrounds. What unites them is their commitment to improving their local community, which in turn makes Britain a kinder, more caring place to live.
The Happy List began in 2008 as an antidote to greed-obsessed rich lists, and now the desire to honour these great Britons is growing across the country.
Inspired by our national search, Mike Zeidler ran the first citywide Happy List in Bristol in 2013, celebrating 50 local people for their joy-spreading endeavours.
Mike and his wife Liz, who co-founded Happy City (happycity.org.uk ) five years ago, are now helping other cities including Nottingham, Brighton and Bath produce their first Happy Lists. They have also received interest from places in France, Australia, the United States and 14 other countries.
“These Happy Lists are a fantastic way to recognise the value in cities that isn’t recorded by GDP growth,” says Mike. “It is measuring what really matters, and it encourages people to do more happy things, or say thank you to others. People look at it and feel pleased and proud to live where they live.”
Instead of seeing cities as alienating or unfriendly, Mike founded Happy City on the belief that they exist to both corral our conviviality and channel it. Happy City supports community groups in Bristol and works with them to involve more people and discuss what makes people happy. It identifies cities as the key to improved wellbeing for people and planet.
Last week, George Osborne seemed to support that same ethos by unveiling plans to devolve power to England’s cities to renew a sense of civic pride, as well as to reignite economies. It was another example of the growing interest among politicians in understanding and increasing the population’s happiness.
Show all 94 1 /94In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Carmel Allen and Josephine Drew Charity Founders Carmel, from London, founded the “Kiss it Better” appeal after her daughter Josephine was treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital for neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer. Today, 10 years later, Josephine is a healthy 12-year-old, and they have raised £800,000 for cancer research.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Renny Antonelli Campaigner Renny Antonelli, from Peterborough, and his daughter, Sophie, co-founded the Green Backyard, a group of volunteers who transformed a derelict site into a community allotment. They work with disadvantaged young people and help protect the garden, which is under threat from developers.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Fatima Ayub Volunteer Mother-of-five who has been a tireless fundraiser for Islamic Relief and other causes. She is also part of a Muslim group which tackles domestic abuse by getting Yorkshire mosques and imams to join their campaign, and has led a breastfeeding project for the NHS.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Shahid Azeem Community galvanizer Lacking any qualifications, Shahid founded successful IT businesses, and has used his skill and money for the wider good. He rescued Aldershot Town Football Club, making it a community hub, and provides a package of free services and mentoring for start-up businesses in his area.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Oli Barrett Social entrepreneur London-based Oli is founder of Cospa, which helps companies and good causes to make money and make a difference. Two examples: with a DIY chain, Cospa helped youngsters fix their own youth clubs; and the Tenner project challenged children to see what they can achieve in a month with £10.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Jaime Bautista Charity founder Colombian-born Jaime, from London, founded the Smart Network in 2000. It gives homeless and socially excluded people job opportunities as well as the chance to develop their performing arts skills. Jaime has struck up partnerships with The British Museum and Tate Britain.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Jean Bishop Buzzing fundraiser Known as the Busy Bee throughout east Yorkshire, 93-year-old Jean began raising money for Age UK Hull 14 years ago after her husband died. She wears a bee costume (made by her daughter) while rattling her tin, and has so far collected over £100,000.
K Woolhouse
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Sandie Betts Trainer Thirty years ago, Sandie’s daughter was born with multiple disabilities. Ever since, she has run the Riding for the Disabled Association group from her Lincolnshire farm. Despite requiring stem cell treatment, Sandie teaches children from special needs schools in the area how to ride.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Ben Bell Charity founder Ben, a youth worker from London, set up Urban Hope charity nearly 20 years ago to help young, underprivileged people in Islington and Hackney. Today, supported by Children in Need and others, the charity offers a range of activities to 150 disadvantaged youngsters every week.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Jodi-Ann Bickley Happiness spreader A tick bite led to encephalitis, and thence a stroke, leaving this writer from Birmingham unable to walk or write. She learnt to write again, and now, via her website, onemillionlovelyletters.com, spends her time writing cheer-up notes to anyone who asks for one. And thousands do.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Sue Brett Local inspiration When Sue from Maidenhead founded Open Kitchen in 2010, her plan was to feed homeless people. The charity now also aids job hunters, provides equipment, gives Christmas presents and more. The Brett Foundation, Sue’s new charity, will help these extra acts of kindness.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Mark Brown Campaigning editor A company director from Brockley, south London, who edits One In Four, a magazine for people with mental health difficulties. Mark, who suffers from bipolar disorder, also created DocReady, a digital tool designed to help young people daunted by their first visit to a GP about mental health.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Sue Bunn Youth leader Sue, from Leeds, took over as leader of 1st Gildersome Brownies at the age of 18. Apart from a year off to have a baby, she has led the pack ever since, for 42 years. She saved a man’s life last year after he had a bike accident, administering first aid before paramedics arrived.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 John Burkhill Fundraiser John has pushed a pram around the streets of Sheffield for 20 years – while wearing a green wig and a giant foam finger – raising £250,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. He continued despite losing his wife and daughter to cancer, and was awarded the Douglas Macmillan Award.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Andrea Coleman Biker extraordinaire Andrea, from Northamptonshire, has led Riders for Health, a social enterprise that uses motorcycles to deliver healthcare in Africa, since 1990. She and her husband Barry have transformed healthcare in seven countries with the initiative. Andrea won the Barclays Women of the Year award last year.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Linda Bussey Event organiser Linda balances her life as a mother-of-two and NHS manager to co-ordinate the Park Run in her town of Bradford on Saturday mornings. She set up the initiative four years ago to encourage more participation in running, and now has over 350 people who take part each weekend.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Hayley Carr Role model Student Hayley runs a summer school, Lauriston Lights, for children struggling academically in Hackney, London. She has held various fundraising events to help with running costs, and her nominator says: “She is the most positive, driven and inspiring person I have ever met.”
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Jo Carrick Artistic director Jo founded the theatre group Red Rose Chain after the Ipswich serial murders, and works with drug users to stage productions that help to tell their stories. The success of her show Different Buttons led to a tour in 2013, and this year, the group unveiled plans for a new £1m theatre.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Zoe Clark-Coates Charity founder Mother-of-two Zoe suffered five miscarriages within three-and-a-half years. The trauma she underwent, and the realisation that no support for people in her position existed, motivated her and husband Andy to set up the charity Saying Goodbye, to help grieving parents.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Al & Paula Coates Adoption champions Al and Paula, from Cramlington, became foster carers after adopting two sisters in 1999. They now have six children, and spend their free time championing adoption and offering advice to couples considering adopting. Their nominator says: “They are an inspiration”.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Ray Coe Organ donor Ray, a teacher from Newham, east London, learnt that one of his students, 13-year-old Alya Ahmed Ali, needed a life-saving kidney transplant. When blood tests proved that Ray was a match, he agreed to donate a kidney. The transplant was successfully carried out in February.
Archant
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Alf Collington Foodbank founder When businessman Alf retired and began to notice the poverty in Falkirk, he was compelled to set up a foodbank in 2012. Starting out in his kitchen, it has grown rapidly, distributing 10.5 tonnes of food so far. Alf has eight volunteers and sometimes works 80-hour weeks.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Mary Cook Community cook Fifteen years ago, the local council for Mary’s village, Ramsbury, Wiltshire, ended its meals-on-wheels service. This led to Mary starting an independent charity, for which she cooks and delivers hot meals around the community. She also co-ordinates a volunteer-led library.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Kenneth Davidson Crimestopper This father-of-four from Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne, has a history of being vigilant. In 1998, his bravery was recognised after he trapped armed robbers inside his bus and drove them to police. Last year, he received a second bravery award for chasing and detaining a burglar.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Gina Davies Nursery worker Gina, of Guildford, Surrey, is the co-founder of The Little Group, a nursery for children with autism. Her nominator says Gina “deserves recognition for the independence that she engenders amongst some of our most vulnerable, anxious and confused children.”
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Becca Dean & Charly Young Mentors On International Women’s Day 2013, Becca and Charly, who have both taught in London schools, launched The Girls’ Network. It offers young girls from disadvantaged backgrounds mentorship from women across a range of professions. They are now rolling the scheme out in cities across the UK.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Beth Doherty Nature volunteer Looking to create an alternative to the busy indoor playgroups in Portishead, Somerset, Avon Wildlife Trust volunteer Beth set up Portbury Wharf Nature Bugs. She runs themed walks which encourage pre-school children to explore nature through stories and creative activities.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Tom Dowling Community journalist Tom, a Liverpudlian born and bred, was left wheelchair-bound after he was struck by a stray bullet in Iran. A former journalist for the Liverpool Echo, he now runs a free newspaper for the disabled in the North-West entitled Altogether Now, which he delivers personally to local hospitals.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Laura Ede Body image promoter This police officer from Portishead, Somerset, launched Girlguiding’s new body confidence badge, which aims to boost the self-esteem of 400,000 young women by the end of 2016. Laura’s Free Being Me programme challenges unrealistic images and ideals and promotes body confidence.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Ray Edwards MBE Charity founder Ray, from Plymouth, lost both his arms and legs after contracting septicaemia in 1987 but refused to let this limit him. He founded Limbcare, a charity dedicated to offering advice and support to amputees – as well as their families and carers – to help them overcome the challenges they face.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Gordon Evans Sports organiser Gordon founded Stafford Town Football Club in 1976 and has been chairman ever since. He has overseen remarkable growth of the Staffordshire club, which now comprises senior men’s and women’s teams, numerous youth teams, and three disability teams.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Efe Ezekiel Youth mentor From Hackney, east London, Efe sets an example both in her family and the community. Having helped her single mother raise her twin siblings, TV producer Efe continues mentoring young people through her movement UShine IShine, creating documentaries to showcase their talents.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Kate Ferguson MBE Charity lynchpin Kate, from Belfast, Northern Ireland, is regarded as “the face, the voice and the driving force” of Brainwaves NI, a charity which offers support to those affected by brain tumours. She received an MBE in the 2014 after dedicating two decades of her life to the cause.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Francesca Findlater Rehabilitator Four years ago, Francesca, a London businesswoman, started Bounceback, which helps rehabilitate prisoners. The project’s success – 90 per cent of participants avoid trouble when out of prison – inspired Francesca to open a training centre for former prisoners, in Brixton.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Martin Griffiths Surgeon lecturer Martin, 46, a trauma surgeon at the Royal London Hospital, has spent the past decade visiting schools to lecture on the dangers of carrying weapons. He also works with young Londoners in Enfield under the council’s “call-in” scheme, which gives a second chance to offenders facing court.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Mike Foster Scout leader Mike, from Headcorn, Kent, became scout leader at 18 to save his beloved 1st Headcorn scout group from closure. That was 50 years ago, and he has led them ever since, working every day, and being a major player in raising £357,000 for a new hut.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Janet Fowler Fundraiser A multiple sclerosis nurse at Hull Royal Infirmary, Janet has been raising money for 10 years to aid MS charities. She has brought in around £10,000 through bike rides, including cycling across Cuba on her honeymoon, and continues a one-woman fight against the disease, at work and from home.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Len & Carol Fowler Helping hands Len and Carol, from Blackpool, and their five children became homeless after following the collapse of their holiday-flat business. Ten years after getting back on their feet, they run a centre, The Well on Queens Park estate, which offers food and shelter for the homeless in their hometown.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Hannah Gibbon Financial saviour Hannah, an independent financial advisor, opened a food bank in Gillingham when she discovered people were going without food. She also runs a debt advice centre in her local church, and opened Open Door Café, where people struggling with debt can have a coffee, cake and a chat.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 James Gilley Social motivator London-based James founded and runs SPAT, a charity that provides fitness coaching, after a friend died of a drug overdose. The charity helps young people by boosting their social skills and self-esteem; 91 per cent of people who complete the programme then find training or employment.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Sophie Goddard Inspiration A sufferer of Ushers Syndrome – which affects hearing, vision and balance – Sophie’s only goal is to help others. A Londoner, for seven years she has been a support worker at Sense, which aids people who are deaf and blind. She will soon travel to India and Peru to work with deafblind people.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Marc Grayston Karate coach Balancing a family of five and a job in the City, Marc runs Maru Karate Kai, a non-profit karate club in Basildon, Essex. He teaches 60 children, some from disadvantaged backgrounds, after receiving funding from BBC Children in Need, as well as holding self-defence classes for women.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Jane Halpin and Denise Armer Charity founders Mothers of disabled children, Jane and Denise from Lancaster founded Unique Kidz and Co in 2009 after being unable to find specialist childcare. The charity provides parents and carers with the chance to return to work, spend time with other family members or simply take a break.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Thomas Holt Volunteer Thomas, a student at Edge Hill University, volunteers at Country Holidays for Inner City Kids (CHICKS), a camp for children who are not fortunate enough to enjoy a holiday. His efforts to help young people saw him named National Student Volunteer of the Year in 2013.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Alan Hughes Countryside saver Here to represent all those saving our countryside. When Somerset said it would sell tracts of the Quantocks, Alan, chairman of Friends of Quantock, and his team of volunteers fought the plan. They were successful and became custodians of the Over Stowey Custom Common and Thorncombe Hill.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 David Hughes Fundraising fancier David, from Wrexham, raises money for Hope House Children’s Hospice by an unusual method. He is a pigeon fancier, and through raffles, races, and pigeon auctions, David has raised more than £86,000 for the hospice in 12 years.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Kim Kalan Underground artist Kim, customer service assistant at Caledonian Road Tube station, north London, brightens up the ticket hall with whiteboard drawings. Kim draws up to two a week in her breaks or at the end of her shifts. Her Mona Lisa is among works bringing daily smiles to the faces of commuters.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Stuart Kettell Innovative fundraiser One of Macmillan’s wackiest fundraisers. Stuart, from Balsall Common, West Midlands, has generated over £31,000. In 2013 he walked every street in Coventry on a pair of stilts, and this year he plans to push a Brussels sprout up Mount Snowdon with his nose.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Nikandre Kopcke Social Entrepreneur Nikandre, based in Hackney, founded pop-up restaurant Mazi Mas late last year. Mazi Mas - which means “with us” in Greek – employs and trains only refugees, migrants and women cooks, serving several different venues and events around London each year.
Micha Theiner/The Independent
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Dr Chamu Kuppuswamy Volunteer This law lecturer from Sheffield devotes her free time to being a volunteer ranger in Peak District National Park. One of her most valuable contributions has been promoting the use, and appreciation, of the park to ethnic minorities. She also campaigns on environmental issues.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Susan Lloyd-Selby Christmas heroine Susan, from Glamorgan, South Wales, started a project called Big Wrap in 2007 to give presents to children who wouldn’t receive Christmas gifts. She struck up partnerships with organisations, such as Cardiff City FC, to donate, enabling her to hand out 1,800 parcels last year.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Colin Magee Sailing coach Colin, a sailing instructor from Burbage, Leicestershire, has dedicated almost 50 years to getting youngsters into sailing. The driving force behind the Leicestershire and Rutland Sailing Association, he offers free tuition, and also works closely with visually impaired and autistic children.
BBC East Midlands Today
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Habib Malik Disaster fundraiser Habib, who has lived in Scotland for 34 years, is the country’s manager of Islamic Relief’s Disaster Emergency Committee. He has worked charitably in both Scotland and beyond, helping to raise thousands for those affected by disaster. He recently took park in a charity ride from Glasgow to Pakistan.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Nic Marks Happy campaigner Nic is the founding director of Happiness Works, a research company which focuses on well-being in the workplace. He created the Happy Planet Index, the first global measure of sustainable happiness. His “five ways to well-being” have been used by the NHS, schools, charities and others.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Rita Marley Volunteer Rita, a part-time care support worker from Brighton, is one of the St John Ambulance’s most remarkable characters. She manages the Portslade and Shoreham unit near Brighton, and, in 38 years of volunteering, has devoted more than 18,000 hours to first aid and saving lives.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Colin Marvell Job finder After a banking career, partially-sighted Colin, from Hatfield, Hertfordshire, was unemployed at 50. His struggle to find another job prompted him to launch Inspire4Work, a charity which helps the older unemployed regain work. He also organises soul music events in aid of charity.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Jamie McDonald Superhero Hospital bound for much of his childhood, Jamie, a former tennis coach from Gloucester, decided to give back to charities which supported him. He ran across Canada dressed as superhero The Flash, becoming the first man to complete the coast-to-coast run without support and raised over £60,000s.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Jo McQueen Dedicated nurse Sister on the cardiac ward at the Royal Sussex Hospital, Brighton, Jo often does 13-hour shifts and is willing to work nights so others are spared. She set up Sunday Assembly, a non-religious event that brings 200 people together. Her nominator says: “She makes people happy and saves lives.”
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Richard McShane Football leader McShane, from Glasgow, set up Easterhouse Phoenix, a football team which brings together young gang members from the area. The scheme has contributed to a drop in gang crime locally and now the young men are working to convert a disused library into a community centre.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Libby Meyer Volunteer For eight years, economic adviser Libby, from London, met a young man with Asperger’s every fortnight as part of the National Autistic Society’s befriending scheme. She helped him overcome his fear of the world and when the scheme folded due to lack of funding last year, Libby continued to support him.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Rose Monson Hospice volunteer Rose has volunteered at Trinity Hospice in Clapham, south London, for nearly 20 years. She regularly buys flowers at her own expense to brighten up wards, and also brings in her dogs when patients are missing their own pets. Her nominator says: “She unselfishly gives care to others.”
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Doreen Mooney Community worker Doreen is a key player in the New Heights community project, set up by a church to tackle anti-social behaviour in Kingstanding, Birmingham. She has helped to develop a community café and led fundraising for a new community centre. A volunteer said: “She would do anything for anyone.”
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Merrill Nelson Foster parent Merrill, a retired nurse from Wolverhampton, has been fostering and supporting vulnerable young people with her husband, David, ever since the couple’s five children left home. They have taken in 30 youngsters in 17 years, including a homeless teenager from Uganda and a baby with burns.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Elle-Mae Netherton Melodious helper Elle-Mae, 13, from north London, lost her mother as a baby and was raised by her grandmother. Her grandfather, who she called Dad, died recently, but Elle-Mae, who helped nurse him, remained strong, performs excellently at school, serves in church, and also with a hearing and signing choir.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Dolly Saville Centenarian bartender One hundred years of age and a great-great-grandmother, Dolly, from Wendover, Buckinghamshire, is known as the “oldest barmaid in the world”. She has been pulling pints at the Red Lion Hotel for 75 years and still does three shifts a week. Dolly says she has no plans to retire.
Rex Features
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Maggie Norris Theatre founder Maggie founded The Big House Theatre Company last year. Using her experience of working with ex-offenders and vulnerable youngsters, Maggie is able to help those at risk of social exclusion in east London. Through theatre, the Hackney-based organisation develops its members’ life skills.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Andrea Parkin Animal rescuer Andrea from Sunderland set up her charity, Animal Krackers, in 2002. As well as overseeing the charity’s shop and caring for her elderly parents, she works tirelessly for the city’s abandoned animals, rescuing and re-homing them and doing everything possible to improve their lives.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Eirlys Penn Needlewoman Eirlys, a former PR consultant from London, runs a social enterprise in Bath called The Big Mend, encouraging people in her vicinity to sew. She also runs a blog by the name of Scrapiana to promote her campaigns such as Fine Cell Work, which trains prisoners to undertake skilled needlework.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Harriet Pocock Caring performer When this performing arts graduate from Weston, Bath, lost her job at a care home firm, she set up The Cat’s Whiskers Tea Dance Company. Her sessions at care homes give residents a chance to sing, dance, reminisce with old photos, and hear poetry readings. Her nominator says: “She brings joy.”
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Jimmie and Rosie Reid Squirrel saviours This couple own four acres of woodland near Dundee, and they have turned them into the Muirhead Red Squirrel Sanctuary. They alone finance this vital haven for the threatened red squirrel, an achievement all the more remarkable for the fact that Rosie has multiple sclerosis.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Bob Riley Volunteer Bob, from Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, has volunteered for Macmillan Cancer Support for no fewer than 35 years He is the treasurer for his local Macmillan committee and in the summer of last year, Bob received the Sir Hugh Dundas award, the most prestigious accolade for a Macmillan volunteer.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 John Roberts Life-saver John, from St Martin’s, Shropshire, is a voluntary Community First Responder. He is quickly on the scene of an emergency, provides basic life-support if needed, prepares for the arrival of the ambulance crew, and comforts worried relatives. He has attended more than 1,500 emergencies since 2001.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Angela Rodriguez Volunteer Having come through a suicidal crisis herself, Angela, from north London, started volunteering seven years ago at Maytree, which offers the suicidal a safe space to talk in a calm, caring environment. Now an operations coordinator there, she “goes beyond the call of duty”, her nominator says.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Janice Rosser Chat host Janice Rosser from Hereford cares full-time for her 92-year-old mother, but also hosts oapschat.co.uk, a website she set up in November to provide a forum for people over 55 to chat and connect with each other. Run on a voluntary basis, it also focuses on issues affecting older people.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Peter Shelton Theatre director In his home town of Matlock, Derbyshire, Peter had produced a theatre project called First Movement, which reaches out to disabled adults using performance arts. More than 7,000 people take part in his workshops until he was forced to step down due to illness this year.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Charlie Simpson Fundraising cyclist Charlie, aged 11, from west London has been raising money for international children’s charity Unicef since he was seven. After the 2010 Haiti earthquake, he cycled round his local Fulham park seven times. Word of this feat spread, meaning he eventually raised a massive £260,000.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Tony Smith Radio host Tony from Havant, Hampshire, set up Angel Radio – a station for and run by older people – in 1999. The station provides a lifeline for the lonely and elderly. More than 90 volunteers are involved, most aged 60 or more. Many learn from Tony to produce their own programmes.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Caz Steffens Home-town helper Caz founded The Snooky Trust in 2007 to support young people with illnesses in Dawlish, Devon. Her charity shop helps fund the trust, helping to pay for people’s rent, mobility equipment, and more. Caz also endeavoured to aid all victims of the storms that recently hit Dawlish.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Tony Stevens Volunteers’ mentor Former teacher Tony established The Daneford Trust in 1982 to help London’s youngsters raise money so they can travel to Asia, Africa and the Caribbean to volunteer as teachers and community, health and social workers. Still the trust’s coordinator, he has raised thousands.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Marian Stringer and Neville Mizen Brainteasers Marian and Neville from Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, have raised more than £400,000 for a wide range of charities with their brainteasing Rainbow Puzzles. Every six months, the pair release a new, fiendishly difficult cryptic puzzle and ask those taking part to donate at least £1.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Naomi Thomas Charity founder In 2009, Naomi, from Wellington, Somerset, was diagnosed with cancer two days after becoming engaged. A wedding planner volunteered to organise her ceremony and, inspired to do the same, Naomi set up the Wishing Well Foundation, which plans and funds weddings for the terminally ill.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Claire and David Thompson Fundraisers Claire and David from Newport, Wales pledged last year to raise £50,000 to fund a Macmillan nurse for a year – so far the couple have raised over half. Despite busy careers they have climbed Kilimanjaro, run marathons, and do bucket collections every weekend.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Sheila Thorpe Charity helper Sheila, aged 86, from London has volunteered for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s charity since it was founded over 25 years ago. She goes into the office every week, helping out in every way. The charity said it was “incredibly grateful for her hard work and kindness.”
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Greig Trout Life enhancer This double cancer survivor is currently drawing up a list of “101 things to do when you survive” in the hope he can inspire others to beat the disease. There are 67 entries so far, ranging from learning the guitar to hiking in the Rockies, many of which Greig, from Dumfries, has already done.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 George Trubody Floods rescuer When Kingsand and Cawsand in southeast Cornwall was battered by huge waves earlier this year, local councillor George was key to making sure no lives were lost. The former fisherman risked his life rescuing residents who had become stranded and helped organise the emergency response.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Jason Venables-John Volunteer Jason, a 19-year-old student from Fishguard, south-west Wales, gave up 1,000 hours of his time in just one year to volunteer for St John Ambulance, Wales. Jason, who has also travelled to Africa to teach first aid, was given the Sovereign’s Award at Buckingham Palace earlier this year.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Jane Ward Theatre director Charity director Jane from Wolverhampton founded Central Youth Theatre in 1983 and has since nurtured the creative talents of youngsters, aged eight to 25, many of whom have gone on to forge careers in the arts. She has also organised fundraising in the face of government cuts.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Heather Wheeler Hospice hairdresser Heather has been cutting hair free at the Katharine House Hospice since her father died there two years ago. When a resident is too ill to move, the hairdresser, from Rugeley, Staffordshire, gives them a morale-boosting trim in bed. Heather, family and friends have also raised £20,000 for the hospice.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Trina Whittaker Mental health activist Trina has been campaigning for Rethink Mental Illness for a decade, and runs arts groups in Braintree, Essex, for those with mental health issues. She also runs a group specifically designed to support carers. Her nominator praised the difference she had made to so many lives.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Sarah Wilkins Life coach A sufferer of lymphoma – a type of blood cancer – Sarah, from Buckinghamshire, decided to share her knowledge with other sufferers. While she underwent chemotherapy, Sarah became a life coach and set up www.sarahssecretcancer.com, which gives advice to those struggling to deal with cancer.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Dr Peter Wilkinson Cycling cardiologist This cardiologist from Windsor has completed nine overseas cycle rides in the last 20 years, raising more than £20,000 for the British Heart Foundation. Peter has cycled the 24-mile round trip to work for most of his career and plans to cycle along the Kenya’s Great Rift Valley soon.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Margaret Williams Christmas giver In 1999, Margaret, from Flint, Flintshire, founded North Wales Superkids. The charity, which buys Christmas presents for disadvantaged young people, gave gifts to 1,365 youngsters last year. Margaret also helps arrange pantomime trips, craft clubs and discounted holidays for families in need.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Robert Williams Kindness dispenser Robert helped set up The Kindness Offensive, a group which carries out “random acts of kindness” across London, from delivering Christmas gifts to the underprivileged to handing out chocolate to passers-by. One nominator said Robert has “a real impact” on Londoners’ happiness.
In Pictures: Independent on Sunday's Happy List 2014 Stephen Sutton Leaves a life-changing legacy After being told his colorectal cancer was incurable in January 2013, 19-year-old Stephen raised £3.2m for the Teenage Cancer Trust. However, Stephen’s condition deteriorated shortly after being nominated for the Happy List, and earlier this month he died. The total raised for TCT now nears £4m. Stephen’s funeral is on Friday at Lichfield Cathedral.
PA
“We need to redefine what it means to prosper because GDP growth is too narrow a definition,” says Mike. “There are objections that happiness is fluffy or subjective, but it is a powerful motivator. Happiness is the golden key that invites everyone in to discuss everything from justice to education to climate change, because everyone can answer ‘would this make you happy?’ ”
We might be some way off using “happy” as the primary adjective for Britain’s cities, but Mike believes they all have the potential to be “happy-making”.
As well as appearing in a special section of the paper next month, this year's chosen 100 Happy Listers will be invited to a celebratory reception hosted in their honour by the luxury hotel group Grange Hotels (grangehotels.com ) in central London.
Every individual featured on the Happy List will also receive the additional accolade of being put forward for special recognition at the JustGiving 2015 Awards.
happycity.org.uk
Follow us at twitter.com/HappyList100 and facebook.com/IndependentHappyList
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies