AS 2023 draws to a close, the Gazette looks back at all the stories that made our hearts melt.
We started the year with the story of a bridal boutique in Hook, inviting women who aren’t engaged to try on wedding dresses for a charity close to the owner’s heart.
The event, held by Boo Bridal Boutique in Hartley Wintney, raised money for St Michael’s Hospice.
A worthy cause that helped owner Emma Whatling's mother-in-law, providing her with end-of-life care.
The event was inspired by a scene from American sitcom, Friends, when characters Phoebe, Rachel and Monica put on wedding dresses in their apartment to cheer themselves up.
Read the full story here: Hook bridal boutique inviting women not engaged to try on dresses
Next, Moon the donkey, the saga of the beloved foal which was stolen from its mother in May, and then reunited.
Moon was taken from a field at Miller’s Ark on May 15, before being recovered in Buckinghamshire after two weeks.
A video taken after Moon’s return shows it playing with an animal trainer at Miller’s Ark, and cuddling up to Astra.
See the video here: Miller's Ark cute video as baby donkey reunites with mother
This was not the end of Moon’s adventure, however, with its story turned into a picture book by a mother and daughter duo who had their hearts warmed by Moon’s story.
The book was self-published by Gaynor and Rhiann Clarke, who wrote and illustrated the book, before gifting it to Miller’s Ark to raise profits for the farm.
The book follows Moon’s life from Astra’s perspective, beginning with Astra giving birth to Moon.
Read the full story here: Miller's Ark sells picture book about Moon the baby donkey
National Kitten Day was held in July, with our readers sharing their photos with us to commemorate the day.
The pictures of your cats, from the tiniest of kittens to larger fluffballs, delighted us all.
The celebration originated in the US but is now celebrated around the world.
Look at the pictures here: National Kitten Day: 13 photos show readers adorable pets
A fourteen-year-old boy from near Hartley Wintney raised money for an important cause in July, in honour of his grandad.
Ben Fowler challenged himself to run 75km every month for three months in memory of his beloved grandad Alan Hamer.
Ben raised over £1,300 for the charity Headway, which provides information, support, and services for people with a head injury, as well as their families and friends.
Read more about Ben’s efforts here: Hartley Wintney teenager pays tribute to beloved grandad
A couple of long-lost friends made their mark in August, hosting a charity event after reuniting during chemotherapy.
Brian James and Richard Bone set up the 50s and 60s-themed event for the Rainbow cancer unit at Basingstoke hospital, as a thank you to the NHS after rekindling their friendship during chemotherapy in 2019.
After leaving Fairfields School in the 1950s, the pair didn’t see each other again until they met on the cancer unit as they both were bravely fighting leukaemia.
The music event featured Richard on the drums, and Brian singing a song he had written about growing up in Basingstoke, called Six of the Best.
Learn more about Brian and Richard here: Music event to be held by long-lost friends in aid of cancer unit
Spike the hedgehog was rescued by police community support officers in October, after being found ‘in need of help’.
The hedgehog was found by the officers in Popley and was taken to the vet in a cardboard box, which was gifted by a resident in Popley.
The officers named the hedgehog Spike, posting a picture of their rescue on the Basingstoke Cops Facebook page.
Read Spike’s full story here: Two Basingstoke police officers rescue hedgehog in Popley
A Christmas song was released in memory of a Hampshire boy to raise funds for a charity set up in his name.
George’s Rockstars was set up after six-year-old George O’Shaughnessy died from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in August 2019.
The charity was set up by George's mother, Amy, to bring music therapy to all children's cancer wards in the UK.
The song, called Let's Make Christmas Loud, was written by Daniel Ash, who provided music therapy to George during his time in hospital.
Read more: George’s Rockstars releases Christmas song to raise funds
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