Local MP Alan Mak has organised and hosted an afternoon tea reception to thank local residents who joined his Local Volunteer Network and made significant contributions to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic including during lockdowns.
Alan’s COVID Heroes Reception took place at the Hayling Island Community Centre on 27 January 2023. Over 100 residents assembled and were thanked by Alan for their community work. The Network was supported by The News, the NHS, Hampshire Police and the charity AGE UK.
Throughout the pandemic, Alan continued working in the community and established his Local COVID-19 Volunteer Network to bring together over 400 local volunteers to deliver groceries, pet food and prescriptions, telephone those living alone and carry out thousands of other tasks for people who needed to stay at home got the help needed to keep safe.
At the Reception, Alan thanked the volunteers for their work and reminded them that although they may not feel like heroes, to those who received help these actions will have made the world of difference.
Local MP Alan Mak said: “During the pandemic I organised over 400 volunteers to help people shielding with shopping, collecting prescriptions and other tasks. I was proud to thank many of those volunteers in person. Their hard work and dedication made a real difference to the most vulnerable during the pandemic. Thank you to everyone that volunteered!”
Wendda Knapp, from Emsworth, volunteered to make medical scrubs during the pandemic and received a COVID Hero certificate from Alan. She said: “I was proud to join Alan’s Volunteer Network to help sew scrubs and assist others who needed help locally. The Reception was a great opportunity to meet others who volunteered”.
Jane Monk, another local volunteer from Bedhampton, said: “The pandemic was hard for the most vulnerable, and Alan’s Volunteer Network helped to make life easier for those who needed help with shopping or collecting prescriptions. I was happy to join to help others in our community”.
