Sussex's most uplifting stories of 2024

The year of 2024 has seen some wonderful stories across Sussex.

From anti-fun campaigns to sushi celebrities there has been a host of stories to keep smiles on our faces.

We take a look at six of the most uplifting and amusing ones from the last 12 months.

One man launched a campaign in a bid to change what he calls the "fun deficit" in his city.

Calling himself the Chichester Anti-Recreation Partnership (Carp), he put up spoof signs around central Chichester to make people laugh, but also highlight issues impacting the community.

Carp, who lives and works locally and did not want to be identified, told the BBC he wanted to satirise the city's "overregulation and lack of fun" after he noticed that warning or prohibited signs were "everywhere".

Chichester District Council said Chichester was a "vibrant place to live, work and visit".

Millions of people pass through Brighton railway station each year, but how many are aware of the secrets below their feet?

In this story, we revealed that under the tracks are mosaic bathrooms, World War Two communication rooms and even a rifle range.

Brighton's network of underground secrets stretches far across the city, with Victorian sewer systems, a hidden road, and tunnels below the Royal Pavilion rumoured to be built for King George IV to meet his lover.

"Nobody would know this was here," said Rob Whitehead, Govia Thameslink Railway community engagement manager.

An exhibition of celebrity heads made out of sushi went on display.

Food artist Michelle Wibowo, from Haywards Heath, West Sussex, spent 120 hours creating a series of portraits of well-known Brits.

Her work included singers Elton John and Ed Sheeran, and England footballers Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka.

Ms Wibowo said she "hoped people find the portraits as hilarious as I do".

A woman was proposed to in the tunnel at a Premier League football match.

Television cameras caught the moment Malcolm Bashford got down on one knee to ask Candice Konig to be his wife.

The pair both work as part of Brighton & Hove Albion's matchday tunnel team at the Amex Stadium in the city.

"I was so shocked and not prepared for that, but I eventually said yes," Ms Konig told BBC Radio Sussex.

Russell Cook, the man nicknamed "Hardest Geezer", successfully ran the length of Africa, crossing the finish line in Tunisia after 352 days.

Before he set off on the mammoth challenge, he said he hoped to look back at his life and have no regrets.

The 27-year-old from Worthing, West Sussex, said he had struggled with his mental health, gambling and drinking, and wanted to "make a difference".

After running through 16 countries, he raised in excess of £700,000 for charity.

An England fan pictured apparently asleep at the Three Lions' last Euro 2024 game said the photograph was taken well before kick off.

The picture of Freddie Hahn, who lives in Crawley, West Sussex, appeared on the front page of several national newspapers following England's goalless draw against Slovenia.

The 32-year-old said he took the opportunity to have a nap after drinking a few beers in the sun as he rarely gets the time to snooze at home, where he cares for a toddler.

He said he and his friends had arrived at the ground early to set up their flag.

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