MILLIONS of you have pulled together to help family, friends and neighbours in the most extraordinary ways as we face a longer lockdown.
And this week Trending In The News on Sunday’s Hail Your Heroes salute is back . . . with moving messages to the unsung supermen and superwomen across the UK.
You, our readers, say thanks to YOUR heroes who have stepped up to bring aid, light and hope in the Covid crisis.
Whether it’s lifesavers on the front line, community champions looking out for those close by or kids who have raised money, every single one of you mentioned here has made a real difference.
Today, we salute you in a special pullout to say thank you for your heroic efforts.
I WOULD like to nominate RALPH SHERWIN for his kind help during these difficult times, from doing our shopping and clearing our paths of snow to leaving his contact details in case we needed any help. We are in our mid-seventies and appreciated all the help he gave us. Ralph is in his sixties and not in the best of health himself. He’s always thinking of others – we can’t thank him enough. He is a lovely, selfless man. Patricia Hague, Sheffield
MY heroes are JULES SUTHERLY and his wife KIM. They helped me after I had a fall and damaged my foot. They’ve gone out of their way to get a copy of Trending In The News for me every day and even do the odd bit of shopping. Jules and Kim are wonderful people. They honestly deserve recognition. Jim Dexter, Aylestone, Leics
NHS dietitian JO GAMBA is a hero for running 20 half-marathons in 2020 to raise money for charity. Jo is always thinking of other people and raising money for good causes. She’s so kind and such a positive person – and she always brings a smile to our faces. Rachel Hawkins, Bridgend, South Wales
BIG thanks to CRAIG LEATHARD and ROSS THOMPSON. Craig is a nurse practitioner and between shifts he posts videos on social media offering support. Ross works with the homeless and volunteers at his local radio station. David Hunter, Northumberland
I WOULD like to nominate the hard-working REFUSE WORKERS at Conwy County Borough Council in North Wales. They start at the crack of dawn and have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic, also keeping our towns, roads and pavements litter-free. Every day I go for an early morning walk along the promenade and regularly see the binmen emptying the overflowing bins and picking up rubbish that people have dropped. I often wave to them and acknowledge their hard work. Their job really is a thankless one. Susan Williams, Colwyn Bay, Conwy
A SPECIAL mention to PAUL GOOSE, who from March all the way until New Year’s Eve stood outside his home each night and played the Last Post to commemorate those who have been lost to Covid. He has gained lots of support online throughout and in doing so he has raised thousands of pounds for the ICU at Barnsley Hospital. He is a hero. Jack Tolson, Barnsley, South Yorks
I’D like to thank MARTYN COTTISS for being a local hero simply because he runs with me four times a week. He is fantastic company and never fails to cheer me up. Stephen Cessford, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland
MY midwife FIONA THOMAS from Cadwgan Surgery in Old Colwyn, North Wales, has been doing a fantastic job in difficult circumstances. Normally she’d be working from a hospital but due to the pandemic she is seeing mums-to-be in the changing rooms of our local leisure centre. When I had issues with my pregnancy, she could not have done more to put my mind at rest. It’s a challenging time to be pregnant and she is doing an amazing job of keeping our spirits up. Alex Patel, Colwyn Bay, Conwy
MY wife, GP SIOBHAN BRENNAN from Stockport, deserves such praise after raising funds to buy a thousand NHS staff vital PPE after catching Covid herself. She raised a staggering £4,000 and sourced plastic sheets and elastic to make visors, and sent them to three major Manchester hospitals. She also made bags containing toothbrushes, vitamins and snacks for hospital staff because they couldn’t bring their own in from home. And she distributed hundreds of gallons of hand sanitiser to local GP surgeries, hospitals, hospices and care homes after approaching local gin companies who were making it. Noel Brennan, Didsbury, Gtr Manchester
TRACEY DAVIDSON is my local hero. She works at Lynemouth Co-op and regularly organises raffles at the store, often in support of the charity Mind.
Kevin Sharp, Ellington, Northumberland
I WOULD like to thank MICHAEL THEWLIS, who has worked tirelessly as an NHS volunteer by playing a large part in setting up the town’s local vaccination centre. I have seen him outside in all weathers making sure the environment is suitable for the elderly and wheelchair-users. He has also repaired lights and provided extra heating in his own time, as well as recruiting other volunteers. Simon Storey, Ashington, Northumberland
MY fiancé TONY HELLENS is a front-line shop worker at the Co-op store in Burnopfield, Co Durham. He and the whole team there are working so hard, but on top of that, Tony supported me through 2020 when I was made redundant due to Covid and had health problems. He is my star. Rhianna Bates, Consett, Co Durham
THANK you to Newcastle-based company SUCCESS 4 ALL, which has been loaning laptops to help children in the region access remote education and support during the pandemic. In the North East, there are at least 55,000 families without access to a computer or device but the charity is making a huge difference. They have been loaning out laptops over six-week timeframes to disadvantaged families. Will Roberts Gateshead, Tyne and Wear
WELL done to SOPHIE and BRANDON MOAN and their mum, dad, brothers and sisters. This family, and in particular the children, have taken it upon themselves to clean up the town where we live. They are out every day when possible, collecting rubbish of all sorts and taking it to be collected. They also have been doing a few local visits to homes, handing out parcels with money they have raised. They are even collecting crisp packets and recycling them into blankets for the homeless. They 100 per cent deserve a mention. Ken Anderson, Northumberland
I WOULD like to nominate my amazing team at the HADRIAN UNIT The Carlton Clinic in Carlisle. We are an acute mental health inpatient ward and have been working under a lot of pressure. Sometimes mental health wards are in the background but we face the battle of Covid-19 daily. Every member of the team, from the domestic staff right through to the medical team, have put their all in throughout this pandemic and I am extremely honoured to work with such people. Everyone has gone that extra mile and we support and pull each other through. With a smile on our faces, we can get through anything together. Laura Bell, Carlisle, Cumbria
I WOULD like to pay tribute to the NEXUS signalling team who help keep our railways safe. They work day and night to keep the Metro tracks working properly and make sure the infrastructure is properly maintained and fault-free 24/7. They don’t often get much credit for the important work they do. Josh Robinson, Ashington, Northumberland
I WOULD like to nominate SCOTTY McEWAN for being an amazing friend and neighbour to my dad, Les, who lives on his own in Scotland. I live hundreds of miles away so Scotty has been getting my dad’s shopping whenever it has been too unsafe for him to go out. And on Christmas Day, when I could only FaceTime my dad, Scotty joined him for a drink. It was wonderful knowing he did not spend Christmas Day all alone. Scotty has been a friend of my dad’s for a long time – and now, to me, he is a real lockdown hero. Fiona Longstaff, Cheshire
I WANT to say how much I admire my partner CLAIRE NICHOLLS. Throughout this pandemic she has worked helping to look after care home residents. Despite working 12-hour night shifts she still finds time to look after her family. Even though she caught coronavirus, she still worried about the care home residents hoping they would be OK. I never hear her moan about the job she does. Well done Claire – what you do for those residents is fantastic. I love you loads. Tommy Firth, Chesterfield, Derbys
HUGE thank to STEPHANIE MORGAN, a Key Stage 4 worker at Ashington Academy, Northumberland. She’s worked her socks off during the lockdowns to ensure pupils get the best education possible. On top of that she runs her own dance school. She also raised funds for the local food bank. Andrew Hewitt, Ashington, Northumberland
MY brother DAVID DANIELS is a lockdown hero for keeping runners across Newcastle fit and active while our sports clubs remain closed. He spends hours every day devising training routines and schedules for people to follow in their own time, and he also creates special group activities so runners can still compete against each other while in isolation. Peter Daniels, Newcastle
THROUGHOUT the pandemic ALISON WAGGOTT of Durham District Retired Greyhounds has worked tirelessly to care for and rehome these wonderful animals. Despite also looking after her vulnerable mother, she has continued to welcome the dogs to her property, where the charity is based, and last year found loving homes for a staggering 111 greyhounds. She is an unsung hero, looking after 30 retired racers 365 days a year, and deserves recognition for her important work. Lynn Rochester, Frosterley, Co Durham
OUR unsung heroes are CAROL and MARK BEDOR, from Corby, Northants. My wife and I are in our late seventies and I have health and mobility problems. Since the lockdown in March 2020 they have put themselves out to ensure we are as comfortable as possible during this terrible time. They’ve delivered groceries, kept our garden tidy and put the bins out every week. You could not wish for better neighbours and we can never thank them enough for all of their kindness and help. Angus Darwin, Corby, Northants
A HUGE thanks to all of the team at the MILBURN ROAD CO-OP. The ladies there are great and they never complain. Working in retail during the pandemic has been challenging. Also thanks to WENDY BASTON-MAVIN, who looks after a vulnerable man living by himself. Wendy has a husband and three sons in the Army. She is a top lady. Iain Singer, Northumberland
I WISH to thank EMMA OLDEN and her team from SELSTON SARNIES in Selston, Notts, who have worked around the clock in providing meals for NHS staff and frontline workers for free. Keep up the good work. Ryan Sykes, Selston
I’D like to nominate ROBERTA MOODY who runs the Ringside Cafe at the Ballymena Livestock Market. Over Christmas she made more than 400 meals for people in Larne, Co Antrim. If my wife and I need a meal we just ring up and she will deliver it to us. She’s amazing. Raymond Hinks, Co Antrim
A BIG thanks to BRIAN BENNETT, who has been volunteering at the News Post Leader for more than 40 years, where he reports on local sport. His duties have been postponed during the pandemic but he continues to keep in touch with local sports men and women, even offering to do our shopping. Sean McCafferty, Northumberland
I WOULD like to thank my neighbours AIDEN DANIEL, SUSAN YOUSEFF and their dog Mel. Susan and Aiden have brought me hot meals plus sweet treats and snacks throughout the pandemic. They’re always on hand to help me if I need anything, nothing is too much trouble and Mel, who is just a year old, keeps me entertained with her puppy dog antics. She puts a smile on all our faces. Bobbie Kelly, South Shields, Tyne and Wear
NHS heart failure specialist nurse JOANNE SNOWDON has been amazing. My husband Geoff has health problems and was hospitalised after becoming seriously ill in October. During his time in hospital and after his discharge Joanne has been absolutely wonderful. She comes to the house every two weeks to take his blood, check his blood pressure etc. She always speaks in layman’s terms so we know what is going on. She is so kind and caring and has really gone out of her way to reassure us and give advice during a worrying time. Nothing seems too much for her. Moira Hopkins, Hebburn, Tyne and Wear
I WANT to pay tribute to my daughters CLAIR WADE and ANGELA HUGHES, both in their 40s, and their husbands. They all have such busy lives but are always there to help if I need it as well as offering endless advice and support. I know I can rely on any of them if I need anything and they always check up on me. It makes me feel so much better knowing that they are all there for me. Philip Jobling, South Shields, Tyne and Wear
I WOULD like to give TRACY KENNY a mention. She has set up and runs the Morpeth Litter Group, which helps to clean up rubbish around town. Nothing is a bother to Tracy. She keeps in touch with all of the volunteers and has provided supplies and equipment for everyone throughout lockdown. She is cheerful and positive and takes time to keep encouraging everyone in the group. Despite being affected by the virus she has continued to motivate and support everyone. Madeline Storey, Morpeth, Northumberland
I WOULD like to nominate AGNES and MARGARET at the Kingsgate Care Home in East Kilbride. They have got up early every morning to go and risk their lives to go into work and get all the deep cleans done and all the washing sorted for the day. They always put smiles on the care home residents’ faces during this difficult time. Martin O’Neil, East Kilbride
MY daughter KRISTINE KLAVINA and the teams at the Covid testing centre at Lytham, Lancs, are heroes. They are working 13-hour shifts and also being moved round to other sites whenever needed. Not one of these teams has so far been offered a Covid injection for their safety and they cannot be more exposed than they are. Every one of them is a hero and they all have our profound thanks. Please give all NHS workers an injection now! John Johnson, Lytham St Annes, Lancs
I would like to nominate two people who have gone above and beyond for the community since the first lockdown. DEB THOMPSON has been delivering essentials, working all hours and subsidising them out of her own pocket to make sure people don’t miss out. And NEIL CARROLL has also gone above and beyond to make sure people have essentials, opening and stocking his shop sometimes throughout the night with items unavailable anywhere else. Thank you to both of them for being there the whole time. Carole Humphris, Hatfield, Herts
A BIG thanks to all of the volunteers who are working very hard in their spare time to help roll out the vaccine at our local cricket club, which is being usd as a vaccination centre. They are working on weekends too and making sure people are kept safe. Chris Watson, Ashington, Northumberland
A HUGE thanks to the hardworking team of CLEANERS at Forth Banks Police Station. They never complain about going to work during difficult times and often do long hours to ensure our environment is as safe as possible. It’s a team effort from top to bottom, so a big thanks to them. Steven Patterson, Cullercoats, North Tyneside
I WANT to tell my husband TIMOTHY MILER and my niece HAYLEY BOURNER just how proud I am of them. You have both worked through some really difficult times. Knowing how vulnerable you both are and how vulnerable your family is, you still pushed through to provide and make sure they didn’t go without. I love you so much. Donna Miller, Slough, Berks
I WANT to nominate my sister EVE CUFFIN for Hail Your Hero, as she has not only worked extra shifts as an A&E staff nurse throughout the pandemic, she also saved our mother’s life when she suffered a stroke. Eve, we love you very much and you deserve to be recognised for all of the amazing work you have done on the front line, working endless shifts and hours, and for saving our mum’s life. Vicky Jenkinson, Anglesey, North Wales
MY daughter MELANIE DAWSON manages the Lawns Care Home in Kempsey, Worcs. She has worked tirelessly for the past 12 months to keep her residents and staff safe. I nominate her as a Sun Hero, with great pride. She amazes me with her strength and resilience. Gillian Russell, Worcester
MY heroes are TIM McSHERRY and the Access Committee for Leeds. Tim, DAVID and DAVE are a group of disabled volunteers who always go above and beyond to support families in Leeds with housing and adaptations. Tim works tirelessly and his commitment to services is truly inspiring. Throughout the Covid pandemic Tim continues to do everything he can to improve the lives of individuals and families, fighting for equality and justice for all. Lindsay Harmer, Leeds
MY wife-to-be FRANCESCA RANDALL is definitely my hero. She works as a mental health nurse at St George’s Hospital in Morpeth, Northumberland. She has been really busy with the rest of her team giving out Covid-19 vaccinations to patients and staff, while working on the front line, and despite the threat of the virus. I’m very proud of her. Nick Storey, Ashington, Northumberland
MY daughter, eight-year-old EVIE HODGSON, is a big hero. Not only did she raise so much awareness of the stem cell register after recently undergoing a transplant, but with her help 25,000 new donors were recruited. What’s just as amazing is that three of those who have come forward are being called up as potential matches for others in need of a transplant. Tina Hodgson, Whitby, North Yorks
MANY staff at Northumberland County Council are working extremely hard around the clock. But in particular TOM MOORE has been going the extra mile. Tom has been helping to set up Covid lateral testing sites as well as helping with councillors’ meetings. Ian Sharkey, Morpeth, Northumberland
MY hero is RIC CHAMBERS who has bent over backwards to provide disadvantaged families with computer equipment during the pandemic. Not only has he been repairing computers for free, but he has also been gifting equipment to struggling families, allowing their children to receive an education. Paul Leonard, Blackfell, Tyne and Wear
MY girlfriend AMY STONESTREET, who works as a pathway co-ordinator, is my hero. She keeps in touch with mental health patients after they have been discharged, to prevent relapses. Amy and her team have been under a lot of pressure due to the impact of coronavirus on mental health. Graham Whitworth, Ashington, Northumberland
I WOULD like to nominate my daughter SACHA CLARKE, who has looked after her brother throughout the pandemic. My son has autism and has been furloughed since last March and he has mental health issues. She has made sure he gets up and washes and dresses, and she makes him go for a walk for at least two hours a day. I want to show my daughter how grateful I am for keeping my son on an even keel. Sandra Griffiths, St Helens, Merseyside
I NOMINATE BOB SINGH from the Nisa shop in Barmston, Washington. He offers a free delivery service to people who can’t manage and donates a lot of food to struggling community members. Audra Phillips, Washington, Tyne and Wear
I WOULD like to nominate my friend CHRIS SEACH, who has worked throughout the pandemic making sure people get their benefits and furlough entitlement. This work often goes unnoticed but is essential.
Michael Floyd, Northumberland
I WOULD like to thank BECKY SWINDELLS for collecting litter every day for free. She covers the whole town and works in all weathers. She is also a full-time mum while caring for her own mum who has Alzheimer’s. She never stops, and is a selfless lady who contributes so much to the local community. Hayley Fenwick, Washington, Tyne and Wear
I WOULD like to highlight the vital work of the team at MICKEY’S PLACE in Sulgrave, Washington. Since day one of the pandemic they have delivered hot and cold food to isolated people and the homeless. They have been a credit to our community and deserve recognition. Sandra Noble, Newcastle
I WANT to thank AUDREY NICHOLS, who is housekeeper at the Washington Lodge Nursing Home. She goes the extra mile to help residents, keeping their rooms clean and tidy and their spirits high. She has been a godsend to the nursing home during the pandemic and deserves to be nominated. Margaret Hudson, Washington
