Last week, on March 23rd, the country marked the 1 year anniversary since the start of ‘lockdown’ restrictions with a ‘Day of Reflection’, as people across Mid Sussex, and the UK, stood on their doorsteps with candles and torches at 8pm, taking a moment to pause, reflect and remember the 126,670 people who've died with Covid.
Since then, across Mid Sussex, people have risen to the challenge and gone to extraordinary lengths to help others. Community initiatives were created to assist those who had been advised to shield and stay at home, national charities stepped up to help, while local, neighbourly support schemes were set up to provide support for those worst affected by this once-in-a-generation event. In the darkest moments of that difficult Spring, people across Mid Sussex pulled together to help each other through the toughest of times.
Last year, Mid Sussex’s MP, Mims Davies, asked residents across Mid Sussex to nominate their Covid Heroes: people, businesses and organisations who have gone above and beyond to help others in the local community. The response was overwhelming, with 73 nominations in total. Following this, certificates were sent out to all 73 nominees, who were all invited to a Covid Heroes Zoom Celebration evening with Mims on March 12th, 2021, of which 42 nominees attended. From these nominees, 6 specific ones were highly commended, due to the overwhelming response they received within their communities.
Following the Covid Heroes evening, Mid Sussex’s MP, Mims Davies, said:
“Last year was incredibly difficult for so many across our constituency and the country, but it was inspiring and uplifting to hear and see how residents of Mid Sussex came together to create support groups to help those shielding in our community. I am delighted these people were recognised for all their thoughtfulness and hard work.”
Commenting, Garry Wall owner of Orange Square who sponsored of the Covid Heroes Award, said:
“Orange Square was very pleased to support the Covid Heroes Award. We are extremely proud of our local residents and it is reassuring to see our communities come together to offer support and assistance where it is need most. We look forward to safely welcoming our local family once again!”
Neil Kentish, Manager of Coastal Homecare, a nominated care home, said:
“Thank you for the marvellous meeting organised. It was uplifting to hear the contribution of community champions across the area.”
The 6 highly commended nominees are as follows:
- Lauren Lloyd, The Executive Officer of Mid Sussex Voluntary Association
- Justine Earl, who delivered vital care packages to the NHS
- The Burgess Hill Helper Army, who consisted of: Kieran James, Natalie Fiskin, Lee Stribling, Sharon Gilbert and Sarah James Smith, who set up an army of helpers, who covered the area of Burgess Hill delivery food parcels, collecting shopping and collection of medicines.
- Sam Ford, for setting up the support group ‘Being neighbourly’
- Kieran Thompson, who everyone can remembers walking around Burgess Hill in a Spiderman outfit and raised a whopping £2,500 for the NHS.
- Supermarkets – Sainsburys and Waitrose in East Grinstead, for having helpful and cheerful staff at all times!
Nominated Individuals, Associations & Businesses
Burgess Hill Community Food Bank
Calley Bryson
Summerfield Haven
Kieran Thompson
Scissor Sisters
Sharon Gilbert
The Brow Medical Centre
Louise Snowling
The Meadows Surgery
Lauren Lloyd
Age UK Haywards Heath
Sarah Sasson
Smith and Goldsmith
Kieran James
The Meadows Surgery
Sarah James-Smith
Everycare Mid Sussex
Lee Stribling
Good Oaks Home Care
Natalie Fiskin
Bluebird Care
Sarah Barker
Coppice Care
Jackie Cooper
Coastal Home Care
Fiona Haywood
All Care
Chris Sheridan
Stone Quarry Community Café
East Grinstead Food Bank
East Grinstead Resident Support Group
Sarah Howland
Saint Hill Manor and all the Volunteers
Kathryn Hibberd-Little
Sainsburys East Grinstead
Sam Ford
Moatfield Surgery
Liz Osterman
Brooker Care
James Hennessy
Your Hope Care
Matthew Hennessy
Waitrose East Grinstead
Sarah Hennessy
Haywards Heath Foodbank
Andrew Brown
East Grinstead Resident Support Group
John Belsey
Covid Mutual Aid Group
Minesh Patel
Lindfield United Reform Church
Sarah Elson
Walstead Place Care Home
Jo Lee
Age UK East Grinstead
Aimey Cheverst
Holyrood
Justine Earl
The Victory Inn Staplefield
Lucinda Meagher
Impact Tasty Team
Sharon Morris
SEDS Sussex Ehlers-Danlos Hypermobility
Redwan Choudhary
Westall House
Clare Jones
Sainsburys East Grinstead
Vanessa Conroy
Mark Dyer - Orchard Fruits
Redwan Choudhary
Care Mark
Mark Plass
Miss Phillips of Warden Park Primary Academy
Haywards heath Food Hub