But the town is no stranger to helping others as these archive photos show. You have helped in food banks, on litter picks and in charity shops.
So let’s give these people a pat on the back as Hartlepool steps up and helps others yet again.
1. Such great support
Volunteers Brenda Smith and Moyra Atkinson were loving their volunteer work at St Clare's Hospice in 2012. Photo: iain brown
2. Ready to serve in 2012
Children Society charity shop manageress Amy Donaldson, front, was pictured with volunteer Karen Helens, in the refurbished Dean Road shop in 2012. Does this bring back memories? Photo: TIM RICHARDSON
3. Cleaning up at Sandhaven
NCS volunteers on Sandhaven Beach as part of their clean up campaign in 2019. Can you spot someone you know? Photo: Tim Richardson
4. Such a huge effort
The Temple Memorial Park Volunteer Rangers of South Shields who reached a landmark of 2,000 bags of rubbish collected in 2019. Photo: Chris Booth