Stories to make you smile from across Yorkshire

Every week in Yorkshire we cover uplifting and feel-good stories about people, places and animals across our region - and we like to shout about them.

This week, we're featuring a knighthood for Sir Kevin Sinfield, a recue dog's chance at a new life, and an adventurer's 28-year journey coming to a close.

Sir Kevin Sinfield has said his late friend Rob Burrow would be "laughing" but "enormously proud" to see him receive a knighthood.

The former England rugby league captain and motor neurone disease (MND) campaigner was one of 60 people to receive honours from the Prince of Wales at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle this week.

Sir Kevin, who has raised more than £11m for charity, received a knighthood for his services to the MND community, as well as for services to league and union rugby.

He said he was "massively humbled by the whole experience" and "very proud to accept it on behalf of the MND community and their families".

Adventurer Karl Bushby has stepped foot back on UK soil after a 28-year journey.

Bushby, 57, left Chile, South America, on 1 November 1998, following two self-imposed rules - not to use transport to advance and not to return home until the journey is complete.

To date, Bushby has covered more than 30,000 miles (48,000km) across 29 countries.

On Tuesday, he announced that he had swum from France to the UK - the final, major hurdle of his journey back to his childhood home in Hull.

"[It] feels good to have UK soil under my feet after all these years. It hasn't been easy, and that's part of the point; proving I'm more capable than I give myself credit for," he said.

A young female red squirrel has arrived at a conservation site where it is hoped she will breed.

Cinnamon, who was released on Monday, joined a two-year-old male named David Attenborough at Castle Howard Arboretum in North Yorkshire.

She was welcomed as part of its red squirrel breeding programme, which aims to boost the population of the endangered native species.

Ben Paterson, from the Castle Howard Arboretum Trust, said: "I can't think of a better way to celebrate the start of autumn than by welcoming a new friend for David to the enclosure, she will bring much joy to our staff, volunteers and visitors."

A springer spaniel rescued along with 83 others has settled into her new life after being rehomed to a couple in Hull.

The dogs were found at a home in Doncaster in April 2025 living in "squalid conditions", which RSPCA officers described as "the worst they had encountered during their careers".

Cloud is now living with Morgan Bulman, 22, and Luke Shepherd, 29, in Hull, who said she had taken time to settle but was "just perfect".

Luke said: "She's been brilliant. The first night, she just would not rest. I think that's because she's never experienced anything like sleeping in a bed with other people and had that calmness before."

A colourful mural covering more than 200 sq m of wall alongside a riverbank has been unveiled at a Sheffield business park.

Created by artist Zoe Genders, the mural took more than a month to complete and can be seen along Cutler's Walk next to the River Sheaf in Heeley.

Featured local landmarks were suggested in community workshops with schools and community groups, with the neighbouring river, Heeley City Farm's resident peacock and the Madina Mosque incorporated in the design.

Genders said the "fantastic" project at the Sheaf Bank Business Park on Queen's Road had prompted a "heartwarming" response from the local community.

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