Local MP Alan Mak is recognising the efforts and sacrifices made by local residents throughout the Coronavirus outbreak with a new award.
His new Coronavirus Community Hero Awards, in partnership with Hampshire Police, Queen Alexandra Hospital, South Central Ambulance Service, Age UK and The Portsmouth News, aims to highlight residents, community groups, businesses and others who helped others in the community during the current outbreak, especially during the lockdown.
That includes the over 400 residents who joined Alan’s Local Volunteer Network, helping with shopping, picking-up prescriptions, telephone befriending and the thousands of tasks that took place to ensure that people who needed to stay at home got they help they needed and stayed safe.
But there are also many more friends, neighbours, colleagues or organisations that played an integral role in the community. Therefore, residents can nominate anyone online who they feel made a difference and deserves to be recognised as a Coronavirus Community Hero. It could be an individual, a community group, charity or business that helped in the Havant Constituency.
Alan Mak MP said: “Thank you to everyone who went above and beyond to help others, both during the lockdown and as we embark on the road to recovery. From the start of the Coronavirus outbreak, volunteers in our constituency have been vital in ensuring shielded and vulnerable people continued to receive food, medicine or even just a friendly phone call.
Mr Mak added, “Through my Coronavirus Community Hero Awards, I hope to recognise the unsung heroes who made a real difference in the community. If you know anyone who made a contribution or came forward to volunteer, even if it was just in a small way, please nominate them through my website.”
Chief Inspector Alex Reading who leads Hampshire Police in the Havant Constituency said: “Hampshire Constabulary is proud to support these Awards. It has been a very hard few months for everyone, but I’m pleased by the strong adherence to the Coronavirus rules and guidelines in our area. That has only been possible due to the hard work of volunteers who have been on the frontline and I’m delighted Alan has launched an opportunity to recognise them.”
Queen Alexandra Hospital Chief Executive Mark Cubbon said: “The incredible contribution volunteers from across our community have made has been vital in supporting the vulnerable and at-risk, as well as local NHS services. We are delighted to support these awards and recognise the contribution made by volunteers to help protect the NHS and save lives.”
Rory Massey, from Age UK Portsmouth, said: “The elderly and vulnerable were one of the groups that were most severely impacted by Coronavirus. During lockdown, thanks to the sacrifices made by volunteers they were able to get food, prescriptions and hear from friendly voices. I know that many people in the Havant Constituency went above and beyond, so we are proud to support Alan’s awards and recognise those residents, community groups and businesses.”
Will Hancock, CEO of South Central Ambulance Service said: “South Central Ambulance Service are grateful to everyone who helped protect our ambulance crews during the pandemic – to those that came forward to help and support and those that stayed at home. Thank you also to Alan for creating these awards to recognise the heroes within our community.”
If you know someone who has made a contribution to helping the vulnerable or those in need, nominate them online. It could be an individual, business, community group or voluntary body that deserves recognition.
For more information and to nominate visit www.alanmak.org.uk/HeroAwards
Picture: Alan Mak MP with some of the volunteers from his Local Volunteer Network
