Five feelgood news stories you missed this week as rowers restart Pacific challenge

Yahoo

09-05-2025

A pair of female rowers trying to cross the Pacific Ocean after an initial setback is one of our five feelgood Friday local news stories.
Hull Live reported how Miriam Payne, from East Yorkshire, and Jess Rowe, from Hampshire, are attempting to row unsupported from Peru to Australia, and are back out on the water after a broken rudder forced them to shore.
Elsewhere, a 100-year-old veteran from Liverpool has recalled how he enjoyed celebrating the end of the Second World War on VE Day 80 years ago, while a teenage Army Cadet used his training to save his little brother's life.
You can read the full version of each of our selected articles through the links under each story – or read more top headlines from around the UK's regions on the Yahoo UK local news page.
An East Yorkshire woman who is part of a rowing duo attempting to cross the Pacific Ocean unsupported was forced back to shore after a rudder breakage - but they're now heading back out again for another try.
Miriam Payne, 25, from Market Weighton, and 28-year-old Jess Rowe, from Hampshire, set off from Peru on 8 April with an ambitious goal of reaching Australia, but their 8,000-mile journey was short-lived after the rudder on their rowing boat broke days into the voyage.
Read the full story from Hull Live
A 100-year-old Second World War veteran has recalled 'getting a bit squiffy' as he turned 21 amid VE Day celebrations on a navy ship in 1945.
Tom Berry, born and raised in Liverpool, was a teenager when he joined the Royal Navy as a radio operator on the Tribal-class destroyer HMS Tartar.
She became known as the Lucky Tartar for her many narrow escapes from danger during the war.
Read the full story from Cheshire Live
A Derbyshire Army Cadet has saved his two-year-old brother's life using skills he gained at Army Cadets.
Cadet Lance Corporal Lewis Butler, 15, who lives in Spondon, was enjoying dinner with his family when his brother Lyndon became silent, red-faced and started shaking due to a piece of food lodged in his throat.
Whilst the parents were panicked and unsure how to best help their son, Lewis had been trained by the Army Cadet Force to remain calm and take control of an emergency such as this.
Read the full story from Derbyshire Live
A Lincolnshire couple have sold almost everything they own to travel the world after deciding they "can't take a single moment for granted."
Husband and wife, Lucy Barton and Lee Mandzij, had always planned on travelling when they retired, but as the retirement age kept increasing they found their dream was "becoming increasingly unfeasible".
Lucy, 44, also developed several chronic illnesses in 2018, which she says left her unable to hike or have a social life for some time.
Read the full story from Lincolnshire Live
A family from Princetown had a shock when its three rabbits bred to more than 21 bunnies in a matter of weeks - after confusion over their gender.
The owner told the shelter that the bunnies were all supposed to be female when they were purchased - but one turned out to be a male.
The family has now given 10 of its pet bunnies to Woodside Animal Welfare Trust, while another litter remains with the family until they are old enough to leave their mother.
Read the full story from Plymouth Live