The most uplifting Surrey stories of 2024

There have been plenty of uplifting stories in Surrey in 2024

The year of 2024 has seen some wonderful stories across Surrey.

From squirrels causing chaos to heart-warming graduations, there has been a lot to keep us laughing and smiling.

We take a look at six of the most uplifting and amusing stories from the last 12 months.

Squid the penguin found a 'guide bird'

Squid, an African penguin based at Birdworld in Farnham, Surrey, developed cataracts as a chick

A partially-sighted penguin at a bird park found a "guide bird" this year in one of her friends.

Squid, an African penguin based at Birdworld in Farnham, Surrey, developed cataracts as a chick.

Her friend, named Penguin, now steers Squid around their enclosure, helping when she gets disorientated at feeding time.

Polly Bramham, from Birdworld, said: "The two developed this friendship from a young age and she has learnt to follow him at feeding time."

Local dessert brand stood up for itself

Pleese branded Freezecakes (left) alongside Aldi's Freezecake product

A brand that makes frozen cheesecake in a tub accused Aldi of copying its product.

Freezecakes are produced by dessert brand Pleese, based in Redhill, Surrey.

Managing director Joe Moruzzi claimed the supermarket chain had released products using an almost identical name, slogan and flavours.

An Aldi spokesperson said: "We go to great lengths to ensure that all our own exclusive Aldi brand products adhere to strict copyright guidelines."

Some naughty squirrels caused chaos on trains

The squirrels cause the train service to be terminated

A morning train to Gatwick Airport was cancelled after two squirrels boarded and one refused to get off - forcing passengers to move away from the "frightened and erratic" animals to another carriage.

The rodent pair jumped on the Great Western Railway (GWR) service from Reading to Gatwick and could have become scared after being trapped in the confined space, a spokesperson for the train operator said.

GWR explained that passengers made their way along the train after the rodents boarded the rear carriage, where the train manager locked them in.

A Network Rail member of staff unsuccessfully tried to shoo the animals off the train at Redhill, where the service had to be terminated, GWR said.

A Surrey couple visited every lifeboat station

Allan and Helen Thornhill visited their first lifeboat station in Teddington

A couple from Surrey started a challenge to visit all 238 RNLI lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland.

Allan and Helen Thornhill, from Smallfield, are raising funds for the lifesaving charity that celebrated its 200th anniversary earlier this year.

The couple started their challenge visiting Teddington lifeboat station, south-west London, on 1 June and expect to take up to two years to complete it.

Mr Thornhill said they were "excited about the challenge" and it is "proving to be a fantastic experience".

A couple celebrated their wedding at a service station

A total of 42 guests attended the wedding at Cobham Services on the M25

A couple held their wedding reception at a service station in Surrey.

Along with 42 guests, Stacey and her partner Graham celebrated their union at what they say is their favourite venue in the world - Cobham Services on the M25.

The bride, from Surrey, said it had fulfilled a childhood dream as she had always wanted a "fast-food wedding".

The wedding party was treated to a selection of McDonald meals.

A man showed you're never too old to graduate

David Marjot has become a graduate 72 years after first qualifying as a doctor

A 95-year-old man became a university's oldest graduate.

Retired psychiatrist David Marjot graduated from Kingston University with an MA in Modern European Philosophy.

He completed his latest studies 72 years after he originally qualified as a doctor.

Dr Marjot, from Weybridge, Surrey said his degree was "hard work" as "my memory was not what it used to be".

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