This year has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs - an ongoing pandemic, Euro 2020 finals, the most successful vaccine rollout in the world and a massive climate change conference to save our planet.

But one thing that has remained a constant is the community spirit and generosity felt across Kent, through the good times and the bad. Here's a round-up of the very best of Kent in the past 12 months.

Incredible Daniel Ezzedine walks again

A teenager left with extensive brain damage after a brutal attack in Kent is learning to walk again with the help of a fundraiser run by a KentOnline sister paper.

Daniel Ezzedine arrived in Canterbury a bright young teenager with a promising future but returned home permanently brain-damaged - his hopes and dreams snatched from him when he was subjected to a racially motivated gang attack in the city centre.

Deeply moved by the family’s plight, the Kentish Gazette launched a fundraising appeal in a bid to help them - raising a staggering £15,560 through the generosity of readers.

To his family’s joy, Daniel is now able to walk a few steps.

To read more, click here

Kent's climate change heroes

With COP26 taking over headlines this autumn, it was hard to escape the climate change debate.

Communities and organisations across the country have committed themselves to making a difference - and Kent has its fair share of climate heroes raising awareness and striving to make our planet better.

The Wildwood Trust are introducing bison to the Blean Woods, the Thanet wind farm has been hard at work, but also eight-year-old Summer Harman from Northfleet has campaigned to make sure people listen to the younger generation.

The young Sir David Attenborough fan issued climate change advice about how people can change habits at home to help the plant.

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Terrific Tony Hudgell receives medal

Kent's very own little hero, seven-year-old Tony Hudgell who raised more than £1.5million for charity, received a British Citizen Youth Award (BCyA) at the House of Lords.

Tony from Kings Hill was recognised for his fundraising efforts after walking 10km last summer on his prosthetic legs for the Evelina Children's Hospital in London.

Doctors and nurses there saved Tony's life when he was a baby after he suffered horrendous abuse from his birth parents. He had to have both legs amputated at just 41 days old.

The BCyA is designed to recognise young people who have positively impacted their communities by helping charities or undertaking exceptional activities.

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Kent is changing the world

You might think Kent is a far cry from the cutting edge of future technology - but you'd be wrong. Very wrong indeed.

As countries across the world compete to discover the next revolutionary idea, our county is brimming with smart thinkers trying to change the way we live for the better.

From aiding the discovery of life-saving drugs using venom in Sandwich to spearheading the future of 6G in Canterbury, Kent's tech innovators are poised to help define what our world will be like for generations to come.

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Celebrating differences and creating change

An art installation at Bluewater shopping centre made shoppers stop and think.

It was created to celebrate the achievements of the black community in Britain and highlighted issues around racism.

Cephas Williams, creator of the Portrait of Black Britain exhibit, was accused of theft by House of Fraser’s security team, and so wanted to use his experience to start a conversation.

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Key workers showing sheer determination

When most of us were working from home, adapting to the 'home school' life and trying to settle into lockdown, some were still out serving the community.

It's not just the nurses and doctors who were indeed on the front line of the pandemic.

Safeer Khan, an Iman at Nasir Mosque delivered shopping to people shielding in their homes and kept in contact with those who were isolated and alone.

The publicans, taxi drivers, teachers, factory workers and mechanics from across the county continued to serve us and shared their stories.

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School uniform donations fly in

A charity in Medway set up a 'School Uniform Bank' to provide pupils with second-hand uniforms before the new school year.

The Gillingham Street Angels were also providing meals to disadvantaged families in the area.

They had such an incredible response from the community, with more than 2,000 items donated they can now run the uniform bank throughout the year.

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Women helping to fight the pandemic

In honour of International Women's Day in February, we wanted to recognise those women who have gone above and beyond to help their community during the pandemic.

Claire Goodwin-Fee from Greenhithe, co-founded Frontline19 as a free counselling service for struggling front line workers and gave out more than 50,000 free sessions.

Also in the medical field, Nurse Pat Johnson was applauded as she left the hospital earlier this year after she overcame Covid and Rachel Nicholls from Sevenoaks hospital was a big part in leading the vaccine rollout in West Kent.

Those working to help the vulnerable are equally as important and Lorraine Schulze at the Medway Foodbank said that "kindness is one of the easiest and best things that as human beings we can do".

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Veterans enjoy a song and dance

Charities joined forces to combat the lockdown loneliness and invited veterans for an afternoon of classic tunes, bingo and plenty of Pimms at Penshurst Place in Tonbridge.

George Apprentice, a 97-year-old Second World War veteran who fought on the beach in Operation Doomsday, was front row with his family enjoying the 'Forget You Not Rock' concert in the sunshine.

George was delighted to attend with his medals and see fellow veterans.

He said: "It's great to be invited, they contacted me out of the blue, but it's great - a lovely day out."

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Schoolboy drag queen leading the new generation

Miles Pullman is just 12-years-old, but has already captured the hearts of industry leaders with his drag persona 'Miss Oatie T'

He performed at Canterbury Pride for the first time in front of thousands, complete with dress, wig, make-up and padding.

While many young boys hold dreams of becoming professional football players or enjoy logging on to play video games when the school bell rings, Miles perfects his artistry in dance, make-up and mixing music tracks for future performances.

His mum said that his classmates are "very supportive" and he is truly leading the way for the next generation of LGBTQ+ artists.

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Grassroots club help young cancer patients

It's the season of giving and recently Medway United Football Club have been doing their bit.

The Rainham-based grassroots club asked for donations so that they could bring some joy to the patients on the children's ward at the Medway Maritime Hospital in Gililngham, this Christmas - and the response was overwhelming.

More than 400 gifts were donated by parents, players and a generous contribution from their girls' soccer school sponsor's Bedfont Scientific. The children's ward even have a new Playstation 4 for the young patients to play on thanks to one person's generosity.

With so many gifts, the hospital will be able to have presents to share out throughout the year, while some have also been donated to the My Shining Star children's cancer charity.

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The Sheppey bus with a difference

The Sheppey Support Bus offers discounted groceries to those in need for just £28 per month per family.

It is the second project of its kind in the UK. The first, also launched this summer, was the Wandsworth Food Bus in south London. A third is planned for South Shields.

As well as buying groceries at discount prices, members can access advice, guidance and support on the top deck, including a team from Barclays Bank onboard offering financial advice.

To read more, click here

It's clear that Kent is a county with love, respect and generosity - despite all the hurdles people have faced since the pandemic, there is still positivity.

As we head into 2022 there is hope that these incredible stories will continue and the people of Kent will keep on showing their community spirit and helping others around them.