On the morning of January 5, 2026, viewers tuning into BBC One and BBC iPlayer for their daily dose of BBC Breakfast were met with an emotional start to the week. The program, hosted by Jon Kay and Emma Vardy, introduced a brand-new segment called Rise & Shine—a weekly feature designed to spotlight the inspiring work of individuals and community groups across the United Kingdom. For its inaugural episode, the segment turned its lens on the Crosby Wombles, a litter-picking group whose story quickly became one of resilience, loss, and the healing power of community.
Presenter Jayne McCubbin was on the scene, meeting the volunteers who make up the Crosby Wombles. The group, founded in 2022, has become a beacon of hope and camaraderie for its members and the wider community. As several volunteers shared how the group had positively impacted their lives, Jayne made it clear that the heart and soul of the operation was Dawn, a devoted member who helped set the group in motion.
"For magic like this to happen, there has to be a person who pulls it all together, and that person is Dawn," Jayne told viewers, as reported by the Express and Mirror. The camera then focused on Dawn, who listened quietly as Jayne recounted her story—a story that took a heartbreaking turn last summer.
Jayne revealed, "When Dawn helped set this group up back in 2022, she had a lovely husband by her side"—introducing him as Adrian. But in the summer of 2025, tragedy struck. "Last summer, he unexpectedly died and Dawn unexpectedly came to rely on this little litter-picking group in ways she'd never imagined." The words hung in the air, and the atmosphere shifted palpably as a photograph of Adrian appeared on screen.
Dawn, visibly moved, opened up about the months that followed her loss. "This community has been so supportive, incredibly supportive. There's many stories shared in a safe environment, and people go away better for sharing," she reflected, her voice trembling with emotion. The support she found among the Crosby Wombles, she explained, became a lifeline—one she had never anticipated needing.
Jayne, ever empathetic, praised Dawn’s strength and commitment. "Well done, you. Well done. You would have been lost without the work you're doing," she said. Dawn, tears welling in her eyes, replied simply, "Completely!" The exchange was raw and honest—an unfiltered glimpse into the way grief can be softened by the bonds of community.
Another member of the group, Jo, offered words of comfort, telling Dawn that Adrian would be proud of her. Dawn echoed the sentiment herself: "As Jo's just said to me now, Adrian would be so proud, and I really do feel that." The affirmation seemed to buoy her, if only for a moment, as the group erupted in applause, wrapping Dawn in a wave of collective support.
Jayne continued, addressing the gathering: "Doesn't she do a brilliant job?" The room responded with more applause, and Dawn, overwhelmed by the outpouring of admiration, broke down in tears. It was a poignant moment—one that spoke to the power of recognition and the deep human need to feel seen, especially in the wake of loss.
Reflecting on the broader impact of the group, Jayne remarked, "From litter to love and life-affirming friendships which make a place truly home." The sentiment captured the essence of what the Crosby Wombles represent: not just environmental stewardship, but also a space where people can find connection and solace amid life’s hardships.
As the segment drew to a close, Jayne encouraged viewers to share similar stories with the show in the coming year. "Doesn't she make a difference? These are the kinds of stories we would love to champion on Breakfast in 2026, please do get in touch," she declared, her words a call to action for communities everywhere to celebrate their unsung heroes.
Back in the studio, presenter Emma Vardy summed up the mood perfectly: "Oh, so nice. We need a bit of this in the middle of our news bulletins, don't we?" Her comment underscored the importance of injecting hope and positivity into the daily news cycle—a reminder that, even amid the relentless churn of headlines, there is room for stories that uplift and unite.
BBC Breakfast, which airs every day at 6am, has long been a staple for viewers seeking not just news but a sense of connection to the wider world. With the launch of Rise & Shine, the program is doubling down on its commitment to highlighting the everyday acts of kindness and perseverance that often go unnoticed. The segment’s focus on the Crosby Wombles and, in particular, Dawn’s journey through grief and healing, set a powerful tone for what’s to come.
The Crosby Wombles themselves are no strangers to hard work. Since their founding in 2022, the group has dedicated countless hours to cleaning up public spaces, fostering a sense of pride and ownership in their community. But as Monday’s episode made clear, their impact goes far beyond litter-picking. They have created a safe haven—a place where stories are shared, friendships are forged, and members can lean on one another during life’s most challenging moments.
For Dawn, the group became a source of strength after Adrian’s passing. Her willingness to speak openly about her grief and the support she received resonated deeply with viewers. The response on social media was swift and heartfelt, with many expressing gratitude for a segment that dared to show vulnerability and hope in equal measure.
It’s easy to overlook the significance of community groups like the Crosby Wombles, especially in a world that often prioritizes individual achievement over collective action. But as BBC Breakfast’s new segment so clearly illustrated, these groups are the backbone of their communities—offering not just practical help, but also emotional sustenance.
As the new year unfolds, Rise & Shine promises to bring more stories like Dawn’s to the forefront, reminding viewers that behind every act of kindness is a person or group quietly making a difference. In an era where headlines are too often dominated by strife and division, perhaps what we need most are reminders of resilience, generosity, and the simple power of coming together.
With the applause still echoing in the background, Dawn’s story stands as a testament to the transformative power of community—the kind that turns heartbreak into hope, and strangers into friends.
