Positive people: 10 changemakers who made Britain better in 2022

Deborah James – the trainer whose bravery impressed the nation

The late Dame Deborah James died of most cancers in June this yr at simply 40. She might have obtained a damehood from Prince William six weeks earlier than her loss of life, however her optimistic impact on the world was so nice that we needed to incorporate her too.

After being identified with stage 4 bowel most cancers, James made it her mission to boost consciousness about an sickness that’s shrouded in secrecy. She co-presented the podcast You, Me and the Big C, which grew to become well-known for its heat humour and, at instances, brutal honesty.

After discovering out she had solely weeks left to dwell, James got down to increase £250,000 to fund scientific trials and analysis into new remedies. By the point she died six weeks later, Britons had donated a complete of £7m.

In her closing poignant message to her military of followers, she mentioned: “discover a life value having fun with; take dangers; love deeply; don’t have any regrets; and all the time, all the time have rebellious hope. And eventually, verify your poo – it may simply save your life.”

Picture credit: Bella Lack: Callie Broaddus; Raphael Mokkades; Michael Leckie; Holly Whitelaw: James Bannister; James Anderson: Richard Saker