Simeon the Stylite A hermit who ended up living most of his life on top of a 20 metre column. He shunned money, marriage and a normal life for prayer and trying to get closer to God. He lived in 5th century Turkey.

Francis of Assisi The 13th century son of a rich nobleman who gave up status and an assured future to look after the sick, especially lepers. He went from fighting wars as a soldier to fighting poverty in Assisi.

Genovetta Torres An orphaned child who was rejected when she tried to join a convent because she had severe disabilities. Instead she founded her own religious order and started orphanages across Spain in the early part of the twentieth century.