We salute you! Bolton News celebrates all YOUR #lockdownheroes

From the health care professionals on the frontline of the fight against coronavirus to the supermarket workers keeping your cupboards stacked up with food during the lockdown, there are amazing people from all walks of life doing their best to help us in these unprecedented times.

Over the past few weeks we have covered - and will continue to cover - so many stories of amazing people and healthcare professionals doing wonderful things in these troubled times.

But today, we are turning it over to YOU and those everyday heroes you have nominated for a little love. We asked you for nominations of people who are going the extra mile, often under the radar, to help others and raise a smile in these uncertain times.

And today we recognise those #lockdownheroes and call on you to send in more nominations so we can continue to celebrate the ordinary folk doing extraordinary things to keep spirits up.

Karl Holbrook, editor of The Bolton News, said: “We are launching this campaign to shine a light on all those people out there who don’t get the recognition they deserve for the everyday heroics they perform.

“It can be anyone from your bin men and your doctors to your neighbours or even members of your family who have gone the extra mile. The coronavirus epidemic is unlike anything most of us have ever experienced.

“It’s stressful for everyone at the moment and this is an ideal time to highlight the good news stories coming from people who are living and working in our communities across Bolton.”

Last week we asked for your nominations on Facebook and some of you have already been in touch. Those early nominations are covered here today.

But we want more nominations. We want to hear about all those wonderful people out there that have helped you during this crisis.

People like Bernard Muxlow, 65, who has been out there delivering The Bolton News every day through the lockdown to make sure people get their dose of daily news. He wakes up at 3am and is out every morning at 5am to deliver more than 100 papers.

He said: “I have delivered papers since being 10-year-old and love the fact that I am bringing trusted and local news to the people who need it the most.”

We salute you Bernard!

Councillor Hilary Fairclough, Mayor of Bolton, has backed our campaign and is urging people to get in touch with their nominations.

She said: “I find it quite moving how people are going about their daily business during the lockdown.

“It is so refreshing and it restores my faith in human nature. I see the people in the community on a regular basis but the lockdown has brought out the best in people.

“I accept that frontline workers are so important but the people who are looking after each other really is showing that people care. I think we did lose a lot of community spirit but now it’s back.”

MEET YOUR #LOCKDOWNHEROES

NICOLE ALLEN

Nominated by Stacey Barnes

I would like to nominate Nicole Allen she is Morrisons Bolton Dawes community champ.

Since the lock down each week she has been out every Wednesday delivering emergency care packages for those that had said they are in need via the Facebook page or they have emailed her.

She has put her number out there for people to ring her even just for a chat, which has been popular with older people living on their own and even a 90 year old woman rang her for some shopping she took it around free of charge.

As well as all that she has worked with local food banks to support them and done loads of donations to NHS workers.

JACK LUCAS

Nominated by mum Katie Power

My son Jack Lucas, 6 from Harwood has been very busy making lots of rainbows for all our elderly neighbours, The C3 Ward at Royal Bolton Hospital and EVEN Mr Boris Johnson!

Jack just loves putting smiles on people’s faces. When we go for our afternoon walk some of our elderly neighbours are watching for Jack and wave at him through the window.

It’s nice to think he’s made their day!

Jack won an award for making all his rainbows and it was shown on BBC Northwest Tonight. He really is over the moon!

STELLA TRUEMAN

Nominated by Joanne Dowding

I would like to nominate Stella Trueman the manager of Brazley Day Centre Older People’s Service there is also a day centre for learning and physical difficulties.

This lady is fantastic during this worrying time she has reassured staff from both sides of the centre helping us move to where we are needed to care for other vulnerable adults she has kept in contact with us all giving us help and praise. Giving lots of reassurance to her older people who use one of the three day centres she manages ringing them and their families checking on them.

At Easter this lady went to many of her older people’s homes delivering Easter eggs and making sure there ok and if they needed anything.

The work this lady does normally before the virus is outstanding a very caring lady with a heart of gold. She is also a full-time carer for her disabled mum.

BOLTON'S SPECIALS

Nominated by Liam Smith

I am SC 41667 Smith from Greater Manchester Police. Bolton’s specials do an amazing job outside of our normal working week to contribute our time in keeping people safe and dealing with crime all around the Bolton area.

All our circumstances differ but in one way or another we contribute the best we can weather it be a couple hours a week or making it a full-time voluntary work if unfortunately, not in working during the pandemic.

We put ourselves at risk dealing with many different people daily but are very vulnerable.

ALDI BREIGHTMET STAFF

Nominated by Susie Warwick

I am a store assistant at Aldi Breightmet I have been with the company for almost 6 years and obviously this has been the most challenging time in my career with the company.

My Aldi family are amazing and have worked so hard over these last couple of months having to put up with some horrid situations mostly during the couple of weeks when people panic bought stock they had to face being spat at sworn at and have items thrown at them !

I was lucky enough not to go through that tough horrible time as I was on annual leave due to my daughter having her baby just before lockdown.

Since returning to work I have seen my Aldi family be there for each other through these tough challenging times and without the strength of each other I don’t know how we would get through this.

None of us want to be there and are scared and worried of catching this horrible virus and taking it home to our families but we all have a job to do and have to keep going to feed the nation and with each others strength and support that’s what we will do.

I would also like to thank the customers that have shown us their appreciation and thanked us for what we are doing its them customers that keep us going.

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED?

Whether it’s your local pharmacist, butcher, baker, bin man, vet, courier or shop worker, we want to showcase the people within your community who truly deserve the recognition.

And as the most vulnerable are behind closed doors for a further three weeks and the pressure on the NHS is overwhelming our campaign will highlight those people who are keeping Bolton moving.

Simone O’Kane, Community Manager at Newsquest said: “There are some wonderful people out there, pulling together for each other. Please share your stories so we can highlight some good, positive news during this turbulent time.”

So get in touch to tell us about your #lockdownheroes. Email your stories and nominations, including pictures, to our community manager Simone Okane at simone.okane@newsquest.co.uk.

Your nominations will be featured in future editions of The Bolton News.