We often celebrate our young people who have made an impact early on in their lives.
They are ones to watch, people who are inspiring the next generation to aim even higher. The ECHO even has our own list of 30 under 30 here.
But what about the people who have carved out a new life for themselves after 30? People who have learned from their mistakes and the mistakes of others?
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People who have used their life experience to do something new, something that has transformed their lives and the lives of others? We have pulled together a list of people who have done just that.
These are people who prove age has nothing to do with being creative and inspiring and should never be a hurdle when it comes to making a change.
If you think there are more names that should be on the list, let us know about their incredible stories in the comments below.
Jacqui De La Maziere
For a long time, Jacqui De La Maziere felt she wasn't worthy of the veteran title. The 51-year-old from Anfield had her “whole life taken from” her by the Navy after they found out her "secret". Jacqui was dismissed after two years of service at the age of 21 because of her sexuality.
After losing her home, friends, career and pension, Jacqui overcame unemployment and returned to Liverpool to study at John Moores University in an attempt to try and rebuild a career whilst battling “poverty, disadvantages and discriminations”.
Since then, Jacqui has been fighting for equality for LGBTQ+ veterans who were discriminated against. The veteran took the British Government to the European Court of Human Rights. Her case, and others, led to the law being changed and the military ban being lifted.
Dee Wright
Dee changed her life with her nan's wartime recipes as they helped her drop an incredible six stone.
The 49-year-old from Southport said she used to take refuge at her nan's house when she was bullied at school and started gaining weight. Dee said: “As well as new, healthier ways to cook and eat, I learnt to untangle my emotional eating habits.
"I realised eating was my way of taking myself back to happier times - eating jelly and ice cream with my nan - and that, actually, I didn’t need to eat sweet treats to feel close to her, not when I had these lovely recipes.
“I went on to lose six stone, and although I had a blip in lockdown, I plan to be back at target for my 50th birthday. I know nan would be proud of us - I always tell Autumn ‘Your great nan would have loved you so much’. Many times when we’ve been chatting as I’m cooking in the kitchen I’ll say ‘your Great Nan taught me to make this.’"
Dee is now a Slimming World consultant who runs five sessions in Southport every week. Dee is now delighted to take her turn to be the focus of attention, after taking three of her beloved nan’s top dishes from the 1940s and recreating them as healthier versions that are still delicious and packed full of flavour. The three meals are: potato and bacon bake; sausage quiche; and savoury mince.
Rupak Rahman
Dad-of-three Rupak Rahman has had to rebuild his life after suddenly falling ill and ending up homeless in Liverpool.
Originally from Surrey, the 43-year-old had just set up his own business when he was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2018. Over the next few years, Rupak’s condition got worse, and he was struggling to get up the stairs. He became unable to work and lost the new business he had poured so much energy into.
Rupak’s partner and three children, aged five, seven and 11, were forced to move in with family in Liverpool to ensure the children had a stable home environment. Rupak was left homeless – living between Travelodge and Premier Inn hotels in Merseyside when the UK’s first Covid-19 lockdown hit.
But Rupak has worked hard to gain much of his independence back and while he credits The Brain Charity, based in Norton Street in Liverpool, for their support, there is no doubt his story shines out as an inspiration to others on how no matter what life throws at you, you can come fighting back. Read his story here.
Ceri and Rich Bate
Ceri, 45, and her husband Rich Bate took on the challenge to renovate a Southport Victorian home at the end of 2021.
It was a huge project that led to discovering part of the home's historic past - it was built in 1893 by Ernest W Johnson - and a juggling act for the couple between the house, their full-time jobs, teenage daughter and a puppy. Ceri told the ECHO earlier this year: "These kind of houses are never 'done' - as soon as you think you’ve finished you’re back to the start again.
"But it’s a merry-go-round we’re very happy to have jumped on, and have no plans to get off anytime soon." There have been some obstacles along the way, she added: "The biggest setback has definitely been the cost of materials and labour. We’ve had to put the brakes on the full kitchen renovation for now as it’s just too costly." You can follow Ceri and Rich at @southport_victorian_renovation
Martin Tideswell
Martin, 50, had recovered from thyroid cancer back in 2009, but feared it had returned in 2020 when he began to feel unwell. After feeling a lump on his neck, Martin fought for a GP appointment.
It was soon after he was told the devastating news that the cancer had returned. But the former journalist was given a double blow when he was told he had in fact been treated for the wrong type of cancer back in 2009 and now, it was "incurable".
Undergoing an intense course of radiotherapy, Martin travels to the Clatterbridge Centre every week. But despite the challenges, he remains positive as he pushes himself through a gruelling challenge to raise funds for the Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, raising over £6,000 so far.
He is now urging other people to know the signs and know their bodies. He added: "I'm really tired now, I've got a sore throat, I can't swallow so I'm on a liquid diet pretty much. I can't eat much and I'm struggling to sleep but I've got three weeks left, I finish treatment on December 23 so God knows what state I'll be in then."
John Davies
Age is just a number for John Davies after he went parasailing at the age of 99. Recently celebrating his 100th birthday, John shared the secret to a long and happy life, which he says is in the genes, adding: "One or two gin and tonics of an evening certainly helps"
Speaking fondly of her grandad, granddaughter Kaija Gosling said he was "not your average" centenarian. Recalling the trip to Turkey, Liverpool FC fan John, who was born in 1922, said: "We were sunbathing and watching them going back and forwards and my granddaughter suggested we do it. It was very good.
"I really enjoyed it. I was a bit dubious at first, but once I was up there I quite enjoyed myself."
John's real age left people speechless as Kaija said: "People often think he's my father not my grand-father because he doesn't look his age. He's not your average 100-year-old."
Pauline Fielding
Pauline's son Andrew was killed in a car crash on the same day he received his exam results. After receiving a call from her husband to say her son Andrew had been taken to Arrowe Park Hospital one day in June 1994, it was worse than they thought.
Since that day, Pauline, 77, told the ECHO they have never been the same. She said: "A road crash changes your life forever. We have never been the same since Andrew died. It has affected us in so many ways."
But since then, Pauline has dedicated her life to trying to make a change by campaigning for safer roads so no other parent has to go through what she and her family have had to. Pauline joined RoadPeace - a charity supporting people bereaved or injured in crashes - where she became a trustee and North West coordinator. As well as campaigning to reduce road dangers, Pauline also organises remembrance events for the families who are "living a lifetime of devastation".
Read about how you can get involved with the charity here.
Neil Atherton
Neil, 43, was so moved by the struggles of his friend that he decided to walk the whole Arriva bus network of Merseyside - an incredible 105 miles. As the cost of living is hitting families hard, Neil, from Widnes, was saddened to see so many people suffering.
He previously said: "My friend has cancer and when I visited, he actually apologised because it was so cold in his house because he couldn't put the heating on. So many people are going to struggle.
"When you've got a country choosing between heating or eating, it's wrong. We shouldn't have to choose. The turning point for me was watching gas prices go up, mortgage rates increase, food going up again and it wasn't being highlighted."
Raising over thousands, Neil surpassed his target of £100.
Carl Eaton
Carl, 60, set up disabled football team the Skem Men-Aces in 2009 after his brother, who has learning difficulties wanted to play for a team of his own.
Starting off with five players and “jumpers for goals” the team is now over forty strong and defines itself not by winning on the pitch but by what it teaches the players off it. Open adults with varying degrees of disabilities and mental health issues Carl uses football as a tool to “make people tick” and the team has been a lifeline for many of the players in West Lancashire.
Carl was born with spina bifida and is a right-leg amputee and fondly calls the players "superhuman" and the club was awarded the Queen's Award for Volunteer Services in 2016. Carl told the ECHO: “Sometimes we all feel sorry for ourselves but when you see what these lads go through and it pales into insignificance what has happened to me.
“Some people turn up and you can not get a world out of them, then in a few weeks, they make some friends and start to open up. Our job is done when their head is held high."
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