Pictured above is (clockwise from top left) Mims, with Sarah from her team, Cristina Covello and James Ricketts from Fooditude. Fooditude work to provide bespoke catering solutions to businesses who do not have onsite facilities. However during the pandemic they have shifted their focus to helping those most in need - providing meals to those who are shielding or isolating and adapting their menus to cater for different tastes. James is from Cuckfield and the team have been working to feed the vulnerable in a number of different locations, including Bermondsey during the lockdown.
The Member of Parliament for Mid Sussex, Mims Davies, is keen to honour the incredible effort made by local people across Mid Sussex during the COVID-19 pandemic as we move into the next phase of recovery.
As lockdown starts to ease with many shops able to open next week, it is a chance to say a tremendous thank you to those local heroes that have gone above and beyond to support the community and the vulnerable in our society. It is important we take time to recognise those who have done so much to keep their local communities moving and to support those who have been shielding from the virus. It can be individuals, business groups, and organisations who are nominated by Friday 19th June.
Commenting, Mims Davies said:
“I pay tribute to all of our key workers including the NHS staff, Pharmacists, Funeral Directors, Waste Collections personnel, teachers, supermarket and retail staff who have put their own fears aside and have kept us healthy, fed and have allowed our keyworker parents to stay in work. To our care homes who have worked so hard to keep our elderly and loved ones safe, to our Churches who found ways to support the community and to keep our spiritual needs met.
“There have been so many local heroes who have done their bit a part the pandemic - businesses have changed their way of working to offer delivery services, some have downsized their operations to meet household rather than wholesale requirements, others have implemented new, innovative ways of operating to safely support the community and their employees. The food banks whose demand has surged but they kept delivering. The volunteer groups who having set up from scratch and stepped into the breach have provided so many ways for the community to access food, medicine, and virtual companionship. To those that donated food and other items that allowed these community groups to work. To the individuals who shopped or collected prescriptions for their neighbours or phoned to make sure they were well, and the Charities which took on extra work to meet the needs of the community.
‘When challenges face Mid Sussex the community spirit shines through. So many people have contributed so much, you all have my deepest gratitude. I’ve been told about so many wonderful examples, but do you know of any Covid heroes who deserve recognition? A person, group or business which has gone above and beyond to help others during this difficult time? Please do let me know of any you feel should be recognised for their actions by emailing me at mims.davies.mp@parliament.uk with their details so I can personally contact them to thank them for their true dedication."
Ends.
Notes to Editors:
- Nominations for the COVID Hero awards can be made to either Mims’ Parliamentary email address (mims.davies.mp@parliament.uk) or via the contact form on her website, here.
- NOMINATIONS CLOSE on FRIDAY 19th June
- For the latest COVID-19 information please see https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus