THERE’S been no let-up in the number of people you want to see given a special mention in the Advertiser for their efforts during the coronavirus lockdown.
This week’s nominees for a mention in our Lockdown Heroes series, being run in partnership with the Helensburgh Garelochside Rotary, include home care workers, volunteer PPE makers, business owners – and a paper ‘boy’ who is doing his daily rounds in Helensburgh – well into his 70s.
Here are the people you've nominated over the past week...
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Ronald Grant, who delivers newspapers for the McColl’s store in West Princes Street every morning.
He was nominated by reader Ralph Risk, who said: “He is, I understand, 72 years young and cycles 20 miles every day, starting almost before dawn.
“He may even have taken over some extra rounds from the youngsters who are not able to do this work at this time.
“Indeed, such is the weight of the papers he has to carry that he returns to base more than once to reload. Rather him than me is my reaction.
“I hope that Mr Grant is appreciated both by his employers and by those lucky enough to have their newspapers to read safely with their breakfast or even in bed!”
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READ MORE: Special mentions for the first of Helensburgh and Lomond's 'Lockdown Heroes'
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Liz Saunders, manager of Bield Housing’s Waverley Court retirement housing complex in Helensburgh, who was nominated by readers Sarah Kelly and June Warren.
June said: “Liz puts life and soul into everything she does – she goes out of her way for all the residents.
“She works much longer hours than she gets paid for, and rings everyone every morning to check if they’re OK and to see if there’s anything they need – she really does go above and beyond.”
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Rita Ferguson was nominated by one of her work colleagues at Enable Scotland.
Rita is currently shielding at home in Rosneath, but that hasn’t stopped her making face masks for older or disabled people and for staff at both Enable Scotland and at Key Housing – using her own money to pay for materials.
Rita said: “They’re fun face masks but of course they have a very serious protective element too.
“I’m sure there are others more worthy of a mention than me, but if what I’m doing helps someone stay safe I’m happy.”
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READ MORE: Thank you...that's our simple message to Helensburgh and Lomond's health and care heroes
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Mairi McGeorge and her family at Craigend Nursery in Cardross were nominated by Sarah Davies, who said: “They have delivered vegetable boxes, plants and compost to, I believe, up to 90 customers weekly. They have also supplied plants, compost and vegetables to callers at the Nursery. All done with efficiency and a smile.
“The arrival of our healthy and interesting veg box is one of the highlights of our week. It has helped us cook both healthy and interesting meals and ensured we spend less time in other shops.”
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Kaileigh Smart nominated Lucie Sazavska Davies, saying: “She has made sooo many masks for local people free – not only that, but she gave a choice of fabrics, which is a big thing for children with additional needs.
“Introducing something new is never easy but they are so happy. So thank you Lucie!”
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Another PPE volunteer who got a nomination was Jordan Frearson, who was suggested by both her mum, Sandra Edmondson, and her grandmother, Jan Barr.
Sandra said: “She has been making reusable face masks and scrub bags, free of charge, for anyone that needs them.
“She has just sent 50 masks to St Margaret’s Hospice after reading an appeal on Facebook.
“Two hundred masks have been sent out in total so far. I’m so proud of her!”
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Nurse Vikki Petkova was nominated by her big sister Lindsay Smith, who said: “Vikki graduated as a nurse just six months before coronavirus struck.
“She has been working immensely hard, as all key workers have, but I know some days have been harder than others. We are all super proud of her.”
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Diane Baird was nominated by her daughter Alisha Baird, and also by her neighbour Christine Woods, for her work with Asda’s home shopping service.
Christine said: “Diane is our shopping saviour during this time and she has really gone out of her way to help us. We thank Diane so much for all her support and great friendship.”
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Alison Gildea, the co-ordinator of Helensburgh’s Grey Matters – Active Ageing group, got a nomination from group member Keith Jackson.
Keith said: “Although we can’t meet because of Covid-19, she has organised through Zoom painting sessions, morning coffee chats, quizzes and a knitting group – plus emails and phone calls to those not online, and a newsletter.
“Alison is an amazing lady, loved by all members of Grey Matters.”
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READ MORE: Cardross pandemic help group launches 'Operation Steak Pie' to help villagers in need
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Catherine Colston put forward Robert Ryan and his staff at the Brae Shop in Rhu, saying: “He is working practically 24/7 doing daily cash and carry trips, stocking more essentials than usual, delivering to those who need it, posting lovely pictures of Rhu taken while delivering, and generally keeping the village, and Shandon, very well supplied, and cheerful.”
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Three nominations came in for Rebecca Simpson, from her mum Liz and her big brother Chris and from Harpreet Singh Sohal.
Liz – who was nominated herself last week for her work keeping vulnerable people in Kirkmichael supplied with everyday essentials – said: “Rebecca is the one who helps buy and carries all the shopping paid for by the kind donations we have received – then she bags everything up and helps me deliver to all our pensioners.
"I could not do it without her.”
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READ MORE: 'Helping Helensburgh' says a heartfelt thank you to community's volunteer helpers
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Jean Kelly was nominated by her daughter, Sarah Louise, for her home care work with Joan’s Carers, while Sophie-May McGrath – who nominated her mum Anita last week – got back in touch to ask for two more family members to get a special mention, namely her uncle Jimmy McGrath, a front line paramedic, and her aunt Nicola Cullen, who works as a nurse.
In addition, we received repeat nominations for Carol Anne Calder from Cove, co-ordinator of the ‘Sew Grateful’ volunteers making and distributing PPE equipment (nominated by Derek Fowlis), and for the staff at Rhu Primary School (nominated by Kate Glover), for the learning opportunities and support they are providing to pupils who are having to learn at home.
Tariq Durrani from Helensburgh Garelochside Rotary said: “We’re pleased to note the nominations being submitted by the community, recognising the ‘Lockdown Heroes’ whose selfless efforts ensure that our lives retain some semblance of normality in these difficult times.
“Each nominee is worthy of our praise and thanks.”
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READ MORE: Helensburgh volunteer army scrubs up in the battle against Covid-19
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If you know of someone in Helensburgh and Lomond who has gone above and beyond to help you, or the community, during the coronavirus lockdown, and who hasn’t yet been singled out in the Advertiser as one of our Lockdown Heroes, we want to know about them.
Tell us, in no more than a couple of sentences, who who you think deserves a mention in our Lockdown Heroes roll of honour and why.
Please remember to include your contact details and those of the person you’re nominating – and a picture of your nominee if you can!
You can email your Lockdown Heroes nominations to editorial@helensburghadvertiser.co.uk, or send a message via our Facebook page.
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READ MORE: Catch up with all the latest news headlines from around Helensburgh and Lomond here
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