JULY brought some good news for Govan pensioner William Todd, who had been savagely attacked close to his home in the months previous.

The 84-year-old contacted the Evening Times to share a personal message of thanks to the people who had helped him during the difficult time of his life.

I met William while he was still recovering at home surrounded by his family.

He had been blown away by the generosity of locals who raised more than £1700 for him to restore his faith in humanity.

The pensioner said: “I just want to say thank you to everyone who donated. I was quite pleased about what they done and I want to let them know I’m doing alright.”

He was looking forward to putting the money towards taking his wife on holiday.

A number of big stars have visited Glasgow this year but not many can say they managed to shut the streets.

In August, racing star Mark Webber done just that.

I reported on the Ignition Festival of Motoring, where I met the 2015 World Endurance Champion and winner of nine Formula One Grand Prix as he lapped around the city’s first ever street circuit, on roads snaking between the SECC and nearby SSE Hydro Arena.

The Australian racing superstar had some kind words to say about Scottish talent.

He said: “There’s an incredible heritage in Scotland with motor sporting in particular with Sir Jackie Stewart, Jimmy Clark, Colin McCrae and great rally legends and that gives people a passion and something to follow.”

Shortly after the beginning a new term for school pupils across Scotland in September, the Evening Times was saddened to report on the death of Lennon Toland.

The five-year-old was struck by a van while picking up stones on the way home from school at St John’s Primary in Tollcross.

The Evening Times spoke to Lennon’s devastated parents and grandparents following the incident who described the youngster as their ‘special wee prince’.

Following the tragic accident, people across Glasgow donated money in their thousands to his family to pay for the funeral, which was attended by hundreds of mourners dressed in green for the Celtic fan.

In the months since, his family have been campaigning to have a swing park built in the disused car park where the accident happened to give locals a place to remember Lennon’s life.

Lennon’s gran Karen Pearson said: “Everybody everywhere, especially in the Tollcross community has been rooting for us.

“It’s looking quite promising because the publicity it has had.”

Every year across Glasgow, thousands of people take part in selfless acts to help others including charity marathons, bungee jumps or sponsored shaves.

One man who was inspired to give back was 38-year-old brain injury survivor Duncan Stewart who took on a 20-mile cycling challenge to raise money for the unit that helped him on the way to recovery.

Duncan, who has his own flat-style accommodation at a new development in the Graham Anderson House in Springburn which was opened in 2015, is keen cyclist and decided to embark on a 20-mile charity ride to raise money for Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust.

He raised £500, which he told me will go towards providing a new television for all the residents and taking them out for a Christmas meal.

In November, a month on from her disappearance, I reported on the family of Janet McQueen’s visit to the incident room in Cathcart police station where officers are working round the clock to trace her.

Janet, 58, from Govanhill, was last seen on Tuesday, October 18, leaving her home to visit family and hasn’t been seen since.

She left behind her dog, purse and mobile phone and has failed to collect any subsequent prescriptions.

During the visit, Janet’s family were told of the extensive search being carried out by officers including the search of 610 common closes and 32 back courts.

HER sister Fiona Kilcoyne told the Evening Times that her disappearance is out of character and appealed to Janet to come home in time for Christmas.

As the year drew to an end, I reported on the fight to reinstate the service 8 bus route.

Following changes to the service, many East End residents were left unable to reach healthcare services and feared that elderly people would be left stranded in their homes.

Councillor Anne Simpson backed the campaign to have the route restored fearing the impact it would have on her constituents.

She said: “The changes will affect healthcare and, because constituents will have to go to Parkhead and use another two or three buses, it will impact poverty.

“We have deprivation in the Shettleston ward and we’ve been working hard to address that but this sets us back.”

“Following further consultation with First Bus, it was agreed to amend the number 364 bus route in January to re-instate the link to Shettleston.

“This is a vitally important route for many of my constituents, providing a key link to Shettleston Health Centre and Stobhill Hospital.”