Sunny Side Up: Your Monthly Dose of Happy News – Edition 7

Welcome to Edition 7 of Sunny Side Up! 

With Christmas in full swing, it only felt right to fill this month’s round-up with festive good news from across the UK. So, grab a hot chocolate, snuggle up by the fire, and enjoy your monthly dose of happy headlines. 

Tesco launches nationwide toy donation 

This November and December, over 800 Tesco stores across the UK took part in a huge toy donation campaign, helping ensure children receive a gift to unwrap on Christmas morning. A simple idea making a big difference. 

Read the full story here. 

Lapland UK no longer use live reindeer displays  

In a meaningful win for animal welfare, Lapland UK has announced it will no longer feature live animals in its Christmas experiences. A positive step that puts animal wellbeing first. 

Read the full story here. 

B&Q donates £1 to the charity Shelter for each real Christmas tree sale 

Buying a real Christmas tree from B&Q this year meant more than just decorating your home. For each tree sold, B&Q donated £1 to Shelter, supporting the charity’s vital work in tackling homelessness. 

Read the story here. 

Christmas Day Dip 2025 

Across the UK, brave (and slightly chilly!) swimmers took part in the annual Christmas day sea swim. What began in 1860 in Brighton, due to a lack of swimming pools, has grown into a beloved festive tradition, with many dips now raising money for charity. 

If you're feeling inspired to join next year, here’s a brilliant blog post full of top tips and recommended locations for festive swims. 

Abandoned oil refineries are becoming havens for wildlife 

Canvey Wick, on the Thames estuary in Essex, has been gradually reclaimed by nature, evolving into an important refuge for local wildlife. In 2005, the former oil refinery was designated a site of special scientific interest and is now managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in partnership with Buglife and the Land Trust. 

Since then, a rich wildflower grassland has been established, making Canvey Wick a vital sanctuary for insects. 

Read the full story here. 

As we wrap up this festive edition, we hope these stories brought a little extra sparkle to your day. Amid the hustle and bustle of the season, it’s heartening to see kindness, generosity and community shining through.  

Thank you for joining us for another month of happy news. Here’s to carrying this positivity into the year ahead. Until next time. 🌞