Stories from across Yorkshire to make you smile

News imageRafe Colman-Chadwick/Lucy Roche/Reuters Three side-by-side images; on the left, a young man with blonde hair wearing sports gear holds his arms up in the air. In the middle, a ginger cats sleeps curled up on a sofa. On the right, a male golfer holding a golf club celebrates.Rafe Colman-Chadwick/Lucy Roche/Reuters
Our weekly round-up of positive and uplifting news stories

Every week in Yorkshire we cover uplifting and feel-good stories about people, places and animals across our region - and we like to shout about them.

This week we feature a missing cat found 100 miles from home, a Doncaster golfer winning the US Amateur Championship and a student running from John O'Groats to Land's End.

Missing cat found 100 miles from home

News imageProvided/Lucy Roche A ginger cat on a medical table at a vet's surgery with a cage and towel behind him. Provided/Lucy Roche
Ginge was returned to his owners in Sunderland

After almost a year, the owner of a Ginge, a ginger cat was reunited with her beloved pet, after he was found over 100 miles (160km) away near Leeds.

Lucy Roche, volunteer branch leader for charity Cat Action Trust 1977, came across Ginge while caring for a feral colony in Garforth and noticed he was very tame.

She caught him and took him to the vets, where his microchip linked him to owner Beth, from Sunderland, who was in a "flood of tears" when she heard the news.

A video of Ginge and Beth's reunion was shared on social media, attracting attention from across the globe.

"We've had people from America, New Zealand saying what a wonderful story it is. The support has been overwhelming," Roche said.

Student completes charity run across UK

News imageRafe Colman-Chadwick A man stands in front of the Land's End sign, with a sign saying 'Rafe ran 874m 2026' protruding from the side. He has pale skin, blond hair, and is wearing a pink, yellow and white t shirt, with black shorts and a knee support. His arms are outstretched with his hands in fists and he is smiling. Cliffs, the sea, and a white house are visible in the background.Rafe Colman-Chadwick
Despite a knee injury and tonsilitis, Colman-Chadwick reached Land's End several weeks ahead of his target

A student has run the length of the UK for a brain tumour charity after losing his father to glioblastoma in 2018, when he was 12 years old.

Rafe Colman-Chadwick, 20, raised more than £10,000 for Brain Tumour Research by running 872 miles (1,403km) from John O'Groats to Land's End.

Despite a knee injury early on and suffering with tonsilitis, he reached Land's End in six weeks, ahead of his eight-week target.

He said: "If my challenge helps even one more family by raising awareness, funding more research and encouraging people to demand change, then every mile has been worth it."

Golf champion to be celebrated 'in true Rotherham fashion'

News imageReuters Whaley stands on a putting green during a rainy outdoor golf event. He is bent slightly forward, holding a putter in one hand while making a clenched-fist gesture with the other hand. He is wearing a maroon cap, a grey and dark navy waterproof jacket, light-colored shorts, and white athletic golf shoes with red accents.Reuters
Whaley will now compete for Great Britain & Ireland at the Walker Cup

Golfer Jack Whaley will be celebrated in "in true Rotherham fashion" following his victory in the US Amateur Championship, according to his home golf club.

Whaley, from Doncaster, became only the second Englishman to win the championship since 1911, earning himself a place in the fields for the Masters, US Open and The Open at St Andrews in 2027.

The 22-year-old was cheered on by fellow members at Rotherham Golf Club on Sunday, who described his achievement as "the pinnacle in amateur golf".

Club director Rob Norton said: "It doesn't get any better. It's something that you dream about as a kid growing up playing golf."

Britain's beard king eyes world crown

News imageLewis Aylmer Lewis Aylmer taking a selfie, holding a box of a flask and two shot glasses. He is wearing a black, long-sleeved shirt, a blue and black waistcoat, black glasses and a blue top hat. He has a long, bushy, brown beard and a long, brown moustache. Lewis Aylmer
Lewis Aylmer says it is "crazy" to win the British title for a third time

The winner of Britain's best beard contest says he is now determined to retain his world title.

Lewis Aylmer, from Hull, described triumphing at the British Beard and Moustache Championship in Kilmarnock, as "crazy" and "incredible".

The 35-year-old is now focusing on the World Championships in Blackpool next year in a bid to defend the world crown he won in Pittsburgh, US, in 2025.

Aylmer previously said he was bullied for his facial hair at school and competing had helped him manage anxiety and build confidence.

Ukrainian refugee lands place at top UK uni

News imageOles Kuzomko On the left Oles' mum Liudmyla, is smiling at the camera, she has short brown hair and brown eyes. Oles in the middle has on a black t-shirt and brown hair. On the right Oles sister Yaryna is wearing a white and blue striped shirt and has long light mousy brown hair. Behind them are huge mountains a lake and trees in the distance. Oles Kuzomko
Oles Kuzomko, his mother and sister fled Kyiv in February

Oles Kuzomko, aged 18, described Yorkshire as "the best place I could have ended up", after his family fled the war in Ukraine with only 100 euros in cash.

Oles, along with his mother and sister, were resettled in Silsden, near Keighley in West Yorkshire.

At the time of their arrival in 2022, Oles only knew basic English - but four years on he is celebrating top A-Level results and a place at Durham University to study law.

He said that the friendliness of people in the region had helped him to settle in, adding: "It's really these small moments of kindness that Yorkshire people especially do that makes outsiders feel more welcome."

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