If you can be anything, be kind - those are the words of "big-hearted" 12-year-old Laurie Thomas.
Today is Random Act of Kindness Day, but there are plenty of people in Plymouth who carry out selfless, kind-hearted acts every day.
We thought these lovely people needed celebrating.
These are just 55 of the dozens of thoughtful people in our city.
If we included anymore lovely people, we would have been here for days!
Let us know in the comments if you're carrying out a random act of kindness today, or if you have been the recipient of a kind gesture.
Ivy Hurle
Ivy went through gruelling life-saving cancer treatment after doctors discovered she had tumours on her kidney.
Ivy had no choice but to leave Whitchurch Montessori Nursery in Tavistock soon after joining when she was diagnosed.
She is now spreading the message, with the help of her parents, for people to donate their unwanted clothes and homeware in a bid to raise vital funds for research into children’s cancer.
Paul 'Sir Fix-a-lock' Bushell
Sir Fix-a-lock Ltd, otherwise known as Paul Bushell, is an independent locksmith who was voted one of Plymouth's "nicest businesses" who works tirelessly to help others.
He has the only safe engineer qualification in the region.
The company holds the record for the most reviews in the South West this side of Poole on the Trading Standards Buy with Confidence website.
And it has the most Facebook and Google reviews of any locksmith business in Devon and Cornwall.
Joe Mitchell
It doesn’t matter who your club is, often those that play for it become your heroes, just ask Joe Mitchell.
Plymouth Argyle fans might not know him by name but they would almost certainly know him by appearance.
He can often be seen bounding about at Home Park with a huge grin on his face, charging at Derek Adams in order to get a photo or running to head groundsman Martin Bird for a hug.
Joe can also be found at the majority of away grounds, the first in line as the team coach pulls up, ready to high five every player and staff member that appears from behind the darkened windows.
His smile is contagious, it is impossible for any player to walk past him without lighting up themselves and the same can be said for most fans that pass him.
Mario Avanzato
In January this year, Mario Avanzato was driving his work van on the A38 on route to Boringdon Park Golf Club when he noticed a car driving very slowly ahead of him.
The Honda Civic had come off the A38 towards the Marsh Mills roundabout and was travelling at around 20mph, veering across the road.
He crashed his car into the van to stop the man from coming to serious harm.
Moira and Hovis Ford
Intensive care can be a scary place for many – unfamiliar, disorientating and daunting. But one new member of staff at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is changing that – and his name is Hovis .
The labradoodle, who is an intensive care therapy dog, visits the unit twice a week with owner Moira Ford and is the only therapy dog in the country to be part of an ICU rehab team.
Staff say the presence of three-year-old Hovis has had a profound effect on every patient he sees.
His role involves much more than patting, morale-boosting and companionship – he also encourages people to engage in physiotherapy, be it walking along the corridors with them, getting patients to throw a ball or give him a treat.
Emily Brewster-Wood
Even though Emily Brewster-Wood is only little, she is aware that some people are not as fortunate as others.
The adorable seven-year-old girl has been making packages for the homeless during the cold temperatures.
She spent most of the Christmas and New Year period handing out warm clothes and cleaning products to those who are in need.
The schoolgirl from Whitleigh first asked her mum if she could give all of her birthday money to those on the streets - but Emily's mum, Sarah Brewster-Wood, helped her find ways to make money to buy products for the homeless.
The heroes who helped push a burning car off of a garage forecourt
A burning car was bravely pushed off the Asda petrol station garage forecourt to stop the situation being much worse.
The owner of the car, along with a member of staff, pushed the Ford Mondeo away from danger and into a safer area nearby.
Edward Williams, 65, took his car to be serviced this morning after it had been out of use whilst he had his cataracts corrected.
Mr Williams, along with help from "the good people" at the garage, PUSHED the car to a safe place , which is when the blaze started.
Avril Bellinger
Avril is the founder of START, Students and Refugees Together, and chair of its trustees.
The charity works with refugees at the point they are granted leave to remain and beyond; averting homelessness and destitution, and supporting people to make choices for themselves.
She devotes huge amounts of time in a voluntary capacity to its running, co-supervising the managers, supervising international students, fundraising, washing up and cleaning the cooker at START's fortnightly Cultural Kitchen.
Oliver Skinner
Thoughtful Oliver Skinner from Plymouth has grown out his hair so he could donate it to help children who have lost their locks.
Oliver's younger cousin, Dylan, who was born just a month after him, underwent a "big operation" in 2013.
His family received help and support from the Wallace and Gromit Grand Appeal and Oliver started learning about the charity.
Paul Thompson
Six years ago, Paul Thompson set his alarm for an early start one morning.
The wake up call wasn’t to get him ready for work or to go for a run, it was the alarm he’d set to go to edge of the Tamar bridge in an attempt to end his life.
But people came to him, talked with him, and he stepped away.
Then, last year, Paul was running when he saw another man on the edge of the bridge. He was able to comfort the man, talk him around, and he was taken to safety.
The dad-of-one decided to share his story of the encounter and his own struggles with mental health, which is when Paul made an awareness video.
The post quickly went viral and has since accumulated nearly 23,000 views on Facebook, and he’s now set up Males Allowed, and has made it his mission to try and help other men deal with their problems before they build up to breaking point.
The group has almost 2,000 members and Paul and his team go to schools and businesses to talk about Mental Health, raising awareness and decreasing the stigma of the subject.
Chrissie Smaldon
Chrissie is project lead for Plymouth's first dedicated women’s centre for those who have struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, domestic violence and other traumatic issues.
The Sunflower Project stemmed from Trevi House, a residential rehabilitation facility for mothers with drink and drug problems – it has now branched out and secured its own premises for day activities, counselling, one to one sessions and is also a space for mum and babies to come and feel safe.
Melvin the cabbie
A taxi driver has been hailed a "hero of the day" after he stopped to help an 86-year-old man who fell at the side of the road.
The elderly gentleman was alone and Amy Collier, who was a passenger in a Tower Cabs taxi, said that dozens of cars drove passed.
But her taxi driver, Melvin, pulled over and called an ambulance.
He also sat behind the man to prop him up.
Amy added: "Melvin you are amazing you didn’t care about the taxi fare or job offers that were coming through, you sat and held Ernie up and made him and his wife feel at ease and safe."
"My hero of the day."
John Hamblin
John Hamblin, is the chief executive of the city’s biggest homeless charity Shekinah.
Plymouth-based charity Shekinah had its humble beginnings in a very basic building in Millbay, which over a decade ago was demolished and replaced with what exists there now.
The charity now spans across Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon.
Over the years Shekinah has developed a range of well-respected services including Plymouth’s only drop-in centre for rough sleepers, an education, training and employment programme and in Torbay a 28-bed hostel, a therapeutic horticulture programme and more recently a new community centre.
And during its 25 years, “thousands” of people have been helped by Shekinah, none of which would have been possible without its staff, volunteers, donors and funders.
Family of Arthur Granville
Following the death of baby Arthur, one family have pulled together to raise thousands of pounds in his name.
Arthur Granville's uncle, Patrick Hawke, completed the London Marathon last year, in his memory - but says it was a team effort.
When baby Arthur was just nine weeks old, he was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and his parents, Caroline and Richard Granville were told to take their baby home and enjoy their time with him.
At 19 weeks old, on May 10, 2014, Arthur passed away - and since that time, his family and friends have raised over £22,200.
Leighann Wright
Through her charity Little Things, LeighAnne provides support for people who have lost a baby.
Through her work as a funeral director LeighAnne discovered that there were very few provisions in place to clothe babies who had died prematurely.
She took up her sewing machine and in March 2013 set up the not-for-profit organisation Little Things; producing clothing for grieving parents across the world to clothe their children in, free of charge
Laurie Thomas
A 12-year-old girl from Plymouth says she is "being bullied for her accent" after moving to a new school.
Laurie Thomas had lived in St Budeaux her whole life until last year, when she moved to Leeds with her mum.
Her mum, Sasha Thomas, said that Laurie was a "bubbly" girl before the move and now she is subject to cruel taunts and physical bullying from pupils at her new school.
The mum-of-two said that the "big hearted" youngster has "turned a negative into a positive" and has set up a crowd-funding page so she can help other children who are going through similar situations.
"I'm incredibly proud of her" Sasha said.
"She said to me 'mum if you can be anything, you can be kind', she hopes to raise money to help others."
Daniel Heath
Daniel, a 24-year-old sales assistant won Face of Plymouth 2018 after entering as he wanted to become a role model and teach people that everyone should be treated the same.
Daniel has recently been raising money for men's mental health after the passing of one of his best friends.
He has made it his mission to talk about mental health and be approachable to those who may need to talk about mental health.
Daniel said: "I have always wanted to be a positive role model for people. You don’t need to have a six-pack and be a model to make an impact in people’s lives.
"A good smile and laugh can go along way."
Kate Nesbitt
Hero medic Kate, from Whitleigh, was the first ever female member of the Royal Navy to be awarded the Military Cross - and only the second woman in Armed Forces history.
The former Sir John Hunt Community College pupil, who is now 29, saved a young soldier's life after he was shot in an ambush in Afghanistan in March 2009.
Kate ran 70 metres under heavy fire to reach him and administering first aid for 45 minutes while Taliban fighting continued.
Kelly Ambrose and Laura Morley
Two kind-hearted women are on a mission to help those in distress by attaching inspiring notes to bridges.
Kelly Ambrose, 32, and Laura Morley, 27, felt they had to do something after several deaths and attempted suicides being reported in the Plymouth area.
After seeing a Facebook post where uplifting notes were attached to bridges in an attempt to discourage people from harming themselves, the women visited the library to make their own version of the notes.
The hopeful messages were tied to the flyover at Honicknowle Lane, above The A38 Parkway.
Ron Wheeler
Ron was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2017 and is only able to move his eyes.
He now spends his time creating art using just his eyes to raise awareness for MND and help other people understand the condition.
Ron said: "MND turned everything on its head. At first it was a struggle, emotionally and coming to terms with it, but we all pulled together - family and friends.
"My wife and I said we would fight this, so we did. Although I can't just go out to see friends and family without a lot of forward planning, I do get visits from friends and family, which is really awesome.
"MND really affects everyone around the person with the disease, but we have tried to make life as normal as anyone could possibly do. We get a lot of help from our care team, who are fantastic."
Chelsea Wheeler
On a day-to-day basis Chelsea will cook meals for her dad Ron who has Motor Neurone Disease, assist him feeding, assist him with his peg feed, transfer him from bad to chair, put washing machine on and just care for him generally.
Ron has no speech and no mobility so finds it hard getting around the house as he has to stay in two rooms.
Chelsea never complains about what she does and is a committed fundraiser for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Alfie Rennie
A seven-year-old superstar has been doing his part to help Plymouth homeless.
Alfie Rennie has saved up all of his pocket money to buy food parcels and was handing them out all day on Saturday in the city centre.
The kind-hearted little boy was inspired to make the food parcels when he saw a YouTube video about poverty.
Steve Walters
Plymouth-born Steve Walters has helped hundreds of people through his not for profit organisation, The Offside Trust.
Steve set up the trust after being abused by serial paedophile, Barry Bennell, as a young boy, whilst in his care training at Crewe Alexandra.
Brave Steve is one of the key ex-pros who have made sure Bennell will die behind bars.
Mr Walters, along with other former professional footballers, bravely spoke about the past abuse they suffered, and waived their right to anonymity in order to encourage others to come forward.
The trust helps safeguard children in sport and supports survivors of abuse.
Micky Fallon
Like Steve, Micky Fallon also helps run The Offside Trust, dedicating his time to safeguarding children in sport.
Micky, who lives in Derriford, was abused by serial paedophile Barry Bennell as a child, and has bravely spoken out to help prevent the same thing happening to others.
For Micky, waiving his right to anonymity has been done for one reason and one reason only – to encourage other victims to face their demons and come forward.
Dave Swift and Kaye Webber
Railway station staff Dave and Kaye have been hailed as heroes after saving the life of a passenger who suffered a near fatal heart attack on board a train.
Mike Evans, 69, had just got on board a train to Dawlish with his companion Jackie after a day exploring Plymouth when he suddenly collapsed.
But quick-thinking staff at the railway station jumped on board to perform CPR before using a defibrillator to give Mike’s heart an electric shock.
Describing their actions, Mike’s daughter Linzi said: “They are so humble and handled everything with complete professionalism.
“When I met Kaye it felt like I had known her my whole life. She was really pleased he had survived, but it was all just part of her job.”
Carole Bowles
In 1977, Carole first opened her arms and door to a stream of unwanted animals who would otherwise have been put down as charities struggled to cope with the scale of the problem.
Carole recalled the day she saw dead kittens piled on top of one another in her early days volunteering, and couldn’t bear to see another animal given up on.
Working with a group of like-minded friends, Carole began her pioneering work to halt the needless destruction of animals through an ambitious spaying and neutering programme, while rehoming unwanted pets.
Within a decade, she had founded Woodside Animal Welfare Trust, a charity which has been instrumental in controlling the Westcountry’s unwanted pet population and rehoming tens of thousands of unwanted animals.
Sophia and Gareth Williams
Torpoint couple Gareth and Sophia set up a charity in memory of their daughter Ava.
They dedicate their time to helping parents who suffer from stillborn loss.
Sophia and Gareth have been working closely with Derriford Hospital’s maternity staff to introduce new wallets to keep pregnancy documents in.
The new MAMA Academy wallets not only protect pregnant women’s maternity notes wherever they go, but they also display important information and advice regarding mum’s health, and that of her baby’s.
Hollie Williams
To help raise money for Ava’s Fund, set up in memory of Ava Williams who was stillborn in July 2016, her sister Hollie did a sponsored 10-mile walk on Dartmoor at three years old last summer.
She has also stood and shook charity buckets for six hours at a supermarket on New Year’s Eve, has handed out wristbands and stickers and taken part in several charity events.
Mum Sophia said: “She’s helped us through the hardest time of our lives and she now wants to help eliminate our heartache from happening to others.”
Rob Davidson
Commuters were greeted by huge pictures of Leigham Marie Curie nurse Rob Davidson for over two months as a call for people to ‘join team Rob’ and fund another staff member like him for the next two years.
Marie Curie and Exterion Media hoped that the campaign would provide an engaging experience for people travelling through the station and prompt them to find out more about the work that Marie Curie do.
Nurse Rob, 42, provides overnight care for terminally ill people and their families in their own homes.
He was nominated for Carer of The Year as part of the Herald Community Awards 2018.
Jo and Toby Gorniak
Street Factory dance company founder Toby Gorniak is a nationally-respected hip hop artist, and qualified youth worker.
He, along with his wife, have transformed the lives of those who need it most with his enthusiastic and purposeful approach in everything he does.
The plans for the centre will be based around the five elements of hip hop: respect, peace, love, unity, and having fun.
Street Factory, a social enterprise set up by Toby and Jo Gorniak in 2007, wants to have the building, secured on a long lease, ready before the Mayflower 400 celebrations grip the city in 2019 and 2020.
Mo Kingshott
Mo Kingshott attempted to take his life six times, got involved with drugs and also started self-harming.
Now he has overcome his demons and is working closely with men who are struggling with their mental health.
Mo is an admin of Malesallowed, a Facebook group which aims to start a conversation about mental health for men, providing support for those who may need signposting.
The 34-year-old has shared his own personal struggle with mental health, including how music has helped him open up about his feelings, and said that helping people is his "calling in life" and that it makes him happy.
Daniel Knill
Daniel was on his way home from a friend’s house in Saltash when he spotted a woman at the side of the road.
The 42-year-old motorcyclist, who works on North Hill, said: “I rode up to her and calmly got off my bike and introduced myself.
“I asked if she was okay and at first she told me to keep away. It was clear that she was really upset.
“I started making conversation with her and asked her about her life and started telling her about mine.
“Gradually she calmed down and I said ‘C’mon let’s get out of here’ and I held her hand and walked her over to the officers on the other side of the bridge.
“I carried her bag and her belongings too. I wanted her to know that she had my full support.”
Bethanie Cork
Bethanie, now 23, was the youngest ever business woman to set up her own salon in the city three years ago, and she is still one of Plymouth's youngest bosses.
She moved to a Grade II listed building on the Barbican last year, relocating from her first salon on Union Street.
Bethanie is now helping young women break into the industry and has taken on two apprentices, Darian, a stylist and Mollie a beautician.
John Phare
Brave railway worker John tackled a knife-wielding killer at Plymouth station, but insists he was “no hero”.
Ticket office supervisor John disarmed Jamie Skinner as he stabbed his friend almost 40 times in a sudden and frenzied attack in broad daylight.
Tragically father-of-five Wayne Fenton was fatally injured and Skinner was later jailed for life for his murder.
Mr Phare, from St Budeaux, saw Skinner repeatedly stabbing 49-year-old Mr Fenton in the station concourse at about 10am on August 8, 2017.
Hannah Shead
Hannah Shead is the CEO of Trevi House.
For 25 years Plymouth-based Trevi House has been rehabilitating mothers with drink and drug addictions.
Today, it is one of the last treatment centres in the country fighting to keep children with their mothers during the process.
Mike Kemp
Ambulance volunteer Mike was officially named as an ‘unsung hero’ for going above and beyond the call of duty last year.
Community First Responder for South West Ambulance Foundation Trust (SWASFT) Mike was crowned as Volunteer of the Year at the national Unsung Hero Awards 2018.
Mike has covered the Liskeard and Looe area of Cornwall for 15 years, having attended more than 3,000 incidents including more than 200 cardiac arrests.
The dedicated volunteer started out as a member of St John’s Ambulance from the age of 11, and helped the charity for more than 50 years.
He has provided over 32,500 hours of cover in his role of Community First Responder (CFR).
Mohamed Muganzi
Mohamed Muganzi is the director of Plymouth Islamic Education Trust [PIETY] and he feels it is his calling to glue Muslims and non-Muslims together, to eradicate any divisions.
The Plymouth Muslim community is neither large nor wealthy, and is mostly made up of refugees, asylum seekers and restaurant workers.
But through vigorous fundraising and generous donations, it was done, and the centre officially opened.
Now every year PIETY holds an open day for people to find out what goes on inside on a day-to-day basis.
PIETY is now looking to the future, and the inevitable further expansion of the Muslim community in Plymouth, currently estimated to be around 3,000.
Steve Whiteway
Steve has volunteered for and benefited over 100 charities since 1967 and continues into his 53rd year of selfless giving and volunteering.
He is an exemplar and much admired by his peers and regularly featured over the past 12 years in Plymouth Herald and Plymouth Live.
Steve has celebrated 50 years of volunteering and giving back in Plymouth. In March 2017, he was the 714th person in the UK, to receive the Prime Ministers Points of Lights Award, and has been multi nominated and a finalist in the 100 Great Westerners Trinity.
At the Herald Community Awards 2017, Steve was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of tireless fundraising and charity work across Plymouth.
Adam Gorsuch
A hero Plymouth cop has been honoured for his bravery after running to help victims during the London Bridge terror attack.
Adam Gorsuch, who now lives in London, was just coming off duty when a call came in over the radio that there was an incident unfolding near Borough High Street.
The 34-year-old, who went to St Boniface Catholic College, jumped in his car and for 10 tense minutes drove from east London to London Bridge, where there were reports a van had mounted a pavement and ploughed into pedestrians.
Adam was just one of more than 200 people who received the Metropolitan Police commendations for their actions during the London Bridge, Westminster and Finsbury Park terror attacks.
Brodie Hobbs
Plymouth schoolboy, Brodie, selflessly gave his Christmas money to a homeless man who was out in the cold with no coat or blanket.
Brodie Hobbs handed over £40 of his Christmas money after he stumbled across the the man in Plymouth City Centre on Boxing Day.
The 12-year-old's mother, Emma Chown, said she was reduced to tears after her son told her about the heart-warming act.
Julie Burgess
Julie Burgess was on her way home after a late shift on January 6 working as a resource deployment officer in the Crownhill police station control room.
As she crossed the Tamar Bridge she noticed a figure sitting with their legs on the wrong side of the railings.
Mrs Burgess left her car and – even though she herself has a dread fear of heights – scaled the fixtures to access the pedestrian cantilever.
As she clambered over she injured her knee and damaged her footwear, yet continued to climb over the various fixtures whereupon she found the man on the wrong side of the railings, holding on with just his cold fingers.
Dawn Lapthorn
Dawn goes above and beyond in her spare time to protect city animal’s welfare.
She is a qualified pet microchip implanter and founder of the Facebook group Plymouth (UK) Pets lost & found.
Dawn works hard to track lost animals across Plymouth – often going out late at night to search for missing cats and dogs.
Through her dedication and voluntary hard work she has reunited many owners with their beloved furry friends.
Mehdi Taheri
Mehdi has been running the Plymouth half marathon every year since 2009 – raising £3,500 in 2017.
Mehdi raises money for JDRF – an organisation dedicated to finding a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. His daughter Scarlett was diagnosed with the condition age two. She has her finger pricked for blood at least six times a day, which in the time since she was diagnosed is at least 10,300 times.
She endures regular cannula changes, hospital check-ups and high and low blood sugar episodes that can leave her feeling sick, dizzy and confused.
For her and the estimated 29,000 children in the UK living with Type 1 diabetes JDRF offers hope that one day a cure will be found.
In total, Mehdi has marshalled 29 people to run the Plymouth half marathon race and expects fundraising in the past two years to top £24,000.
He also gives a 20 per cent discount to any Type 1 diabetes sufferers who arrive at his restaurant Fuel and routinely provides meals for Plymouth’s homeless.
Mary Wakeham and Alana Crisp
Mary Wakeham, 40 and Alana Crisp, 22, have helped over 50 individuals and families escape dangerous and abusive situations, rescuing over 100 furry friends.
Mary set up Refuge4Pets as a charity in August 2017 to enable freedom for domestic abuse victims and their pets, providing a pet fostering service throughout Devon and Cornwall.
Amber Haigh
Out of personal trauma, Amber has forged a charity dedicated to helping others who have suffered childhood abuse
Ambers Angels Trust now has a drop-in centre and also run four private online support groups including one for men who have been abused as children, one for male and female survivors of childhood abuse, an adult group for survivors of rape and another online group for relatives.
Ella Louise Tate
Ella-Louise, an 11-year-old girl from Estover has been giving up her weekends and her pocket money for the last year in a bid to help the city's homeless.
Ella-Louise began helping the homeless after she was shocked to witness a man bruised, shaking and sat on the cold ground in the city centre.
The Plymouth School of Creative Arts student used part of her £20 pocket money to buy the man two pasties and a cup of tea, then sat with him on the ground.
Joshua Cameron
Joshua was out in his four-wheel drive until 1am rescuing people and getting staff to the hospital as snow drifts ground Plymouth to a halt last year.
After his Facebook post, offering a lift to Derriford hospital workers or midwives on call, was shared widely he rescued five nurses, a neurosurgeon, two stranded vehicles and helped coordinate dozens of hospital runs to Derriford, Mount Gould hospital and more.
Mandy Chapman
An inspiring woman has won a top award for helping new mums in and around Plymouth overcome problems breastfeeding their babies.
Mandy Chapman, who works as a health improvement practitioner based at Mount Gould Hospital, has been named South West regional winner in the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) Star Awards in recognition of her work as an NCT breastfeeding counsellor.
Mandy, who is part of Livewell Southwest's Wellbeing Team, is the only breastfeeding counsellor in the area - she delivers breastfeeding sessions as part of NCT antenatal courses and offers support and visits on a voluntary basis.
Everyone who sent Alfie a birthday card
Thousands of kind-hearted people have helped make a special little boy's birthday by flooding his home with cards and presents.
Bronya Thomson appealed to the public to ask them to send her son Alfie, who has autism, cards on his eighth birthday because he loves opening them but doesn't have many friends.
The story touched thousands of hearts around the nation and you lovely people did not dissapoint.
Plymouth Live were inundated with cards for two weeks and took three postal sacks and two boxes full of cards, along with several parcels to Alfie's house for his birthday, on Saturday, October 13.
Alfie's face lit up when he saw how many cards people had sent him and got very excited, repeatedly signing thank you in Makaton.
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