Daily Echo readers name their Dorset heroes

From Covid lockdowns to hardship and tragedy in our communities, our lives have been flipped upside down.

But among all the challenges, there have been people who have gone above and beyond for their loved ones, community and those in their workplace.

We asked you to nominate your heroes of 2021.

And here they are:

Marlene Gotch

Nominated by her niece, Deborah Liversedge, Marlene Gotch has been sewing handmade face masks and selling them with proceeds to Combat Stress Charity.

They're sold in Southbourne and Littledown and further afield in Surrey.  

Deborah said: "She sews almost every day and has so far donated £10,000 to them and £1,000 to the RNLI.  

"The Facebook page is ‘Marlene’s Marvellous Masks.’  The masks can be purchased in Southbourne from me for £4 per mask. She has so many different designs.

"She is a very kind person."

Marlene Gotch

Poole RNLI volunteers

Nominated by Dave Riley, the entire volunteer team at Poole RNLI have continued to serve the community.

He said: "They are one of the busiest lifeboat stations across the whole of the RNLI and have this year carried out 131 rescued assisting around 100 people back to safety.

"Sadly though, not every one can be saved. As volunteers they have full time jobs but have adapted training and call outs with the ever changing Covid situation while juggling saving lives with family life. Unpaid volunteers, launching to save total strangers - amazing.

"From missing children on beaches to helping people with medical situations, the volunteers put their lives on hold to help others.

"Not only should they be recognised for their outstanding commitment to the community, but also it shows what an important job they do and how generous donations really do help save lives."

Poole RNLI volunteers

Glenn Cooper

Mr Cooper from Bournemouth has been nominated by Bronwen Pendray for helping so many local people during Covid.

She said: "Without Glenn's help, so many people would have gone hungry and without their medicine, it is  a lonely time and Glenn's calls or visits cheered us up so much.

"Glenn has shopped for locals, collected prescriptions and phoned or called to see if we are ok."

Glenn Cooper

Dave Wood

Elizabeth Jones has nominated Dave Wood, founder of Helping Homeless Veterans UK.

She said: "David works continually to see that our ex services have a place to live and support.

"He is absolutely fully committed to the charity, as are all the volunteers."

Dave Wood set up Helping Homeless Veterans UK just before the pandemic struck.

Now, with no start up funds, he has rehomed more than 100 veterans that were sleeping rough on the streets.

HHVUK was originally registered as a Community Interest Company.

Dave Wood