CAPTAIN Tom Moore's 100th birthday walk for the NHS has been voted the most touching moment of 2020.

As we head towards the end of a turbulent year, new research has revealed the challenges of 2020 have made Welsh residents kinder and more caring, with almost a third of people admitting they have been brought to tears by a random act of kindness.

Inspired by the fundraising efforts of individuals up and down the country, a sense of national comradery and seeing neighbours rally round together, over a third of Welsh residents have felt encouraged to help and support others in some way over the last twelve months.

Almost 90 percent of residents have been touched by a heart-warming story in the news since the start of the pandemic.

Despite 2020 being a tough year for many, more than half people believe there have been many positive outcomes from the challenges, according to research among 2,000 residents across the UK conducted by ZOONO, the scientifically proven longer-lasting hand and surface sanitiser brand.

Jamal McCleary, general manager at ZOONO, said: “It has been truly heart-warming to see people come closer together this year as so many have strived to protect the wellbeing of loved ones and neighbours.

"We noticed a surge in people buying our scientifically proven hand and surface sanitisers for key workers and vulnerable people as gifts; hundreds of people have gone the extra mile to keep others safe and protected for longer.

"That’s why we were interested to find out whether the pandemic has strengthened our relationships with others, even when we’d had to social distance, and made us all more caring and considerate despite the challenges we have all faced.”

Valuing our lives more (42 per cent), appreciating the little things (41 per cent), as well as being more caring and considerate to others (37 per cent) are among the list of silver linings voted for by the British public.

Following the global pandemic, almost a quarter of Brits now feel more resilient (23 per cent) and are less likely to worry about small problems in their lives (23 per cent).

Many Brits feel stronger having made it through the challenges they have faced this year (22 per cent).

Being reunited with loved ones after lockdown (22 per cent), receiving a phone call from someone they had not spoken to in a long time (15 per cent) and watching people support small local businesses (15 per cent), were among the acts that have personally touched most Brits over the last year.

The pandemic has had a positive effect on relationships, with over half of Brits admitting it has encouraged them to develop stronger and closer bonds with friends, neighbours and relatives.

The Top 10 Most Touching Moments of 2020 (Wales Ranking)

  1. Captain Sir Thomas Moore raising money for the NHS on his 100th birthday
  2. The first clap for NHS carers
  3. Seeing key workers reunited with their loved ones
  4. Announcement of the Covid-19 vaccine
  5. Rainbow paintings in windows
  6. Socially distanced Victory in Europe (VE) Day celebrations
  7. Hero welcomes for key workers in supermarkets
  8. School children sending morale-boosting letters to care home residents
  9. Postman in fancy dress to keep residents' spirits high
  10. Joe Wicks launching free daily PE lessons for children