Here we celebrate just some of those people:
1. NHS staff
Dr Shondipon Laha, a consultant in critical care consultant in medicine and anaesthesia at Royal Preston Hospital.
2. Food store staff
Mick Morgan, a forklift truck operator for James Hall (Spar) for 42 years, helped to keep our shelves stocked throughout lockdown.
3. Our scientists
UCLan technicians, including Terri Blohm pictured, created and distributed 120 litres of free hand sanitiser to local care homes.
4. Transport workers
Preston Railway Station train manager Hussain Master and his colleagues have helped to keep us on the move.