CORONAVIRUS HERO ZARA ST CLAIR
DAISY BRIGGS
Four-year-old Daisy raised £27,000 for the NHS by doing a sponsored walk during lockdown.The family of the youngster, who suffers from spina bifida, hydrocephalus and hip dysplasia, were once told by doctors that she’d never be able to walk.
Daisy, from Sutton, Surrey, wore rainbow outfits for her daily walks. She wanted to show her gratitude to NHS staff who saved her life, particularly at St George’s Hospital, Tooting, and Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children.When she reached her target of 64 walks, friends and family, including dad Sean, watched her take her final steps without the aid of her walker.
“We have run out of words to express how proud we are of her,” said mum Rea.
DR KISHAN BODALIA
After working shifts on Covid intensive care wards, Dr Bodalia went home and performed live stream DJ music sets from his flat to cheer up fellow medics.
Kishan was delighted when his NHS Sessions attracted millions of listeners worldwide.The 26-year-old from Coventry, who only qualified as a medic in August 2019, then appeared on Sky News.As a result, the Government asked him to promote a campaign to urge young people to get vaccinated.
“I never realised when I started what an impact I could make,” he said. Kishan is supporting Fat Boy Slim on a nationwide tour in November which includes a show for NHS workers in Brighton.
JESSICA WILLEY
Five-year-old Jessica came up with a variety of ways to raise money for the NHS during lockdown such as selling her own handpainted rainbows which paid for 300 staff at Sunderland General Hospital to enjoy a surprise afternoon tea treat.
Jessica from Washington, Co Durham, was also sponsored to forego playtime and sold 100 homemade bookmarks decorated with rainbows and flowers to buy food for 180 people at a local nursing home where her Uncle Stephen lives.
She and her mum,Andrea, collected toys, clothes and gift sets for the homeless charity Centrepoint. She used money raised to buy packed lunches for the intensive care staff at South Tyneside District Hospital.
Jessica said: “I love helping people. It makes me feel good.”
Grandmother Zara swung into action during lockdown, making sure that neighbours in West Denton, Newcastle Upon Tyne, had food and essentials.
Her efforts grew into an army of volunteers distributing 10,000 leaflets in the area offering help. Zara, 47, also coordinated a school-holiday lunch programme, and set up a food bank.All the while, she was babysitting her two grandchildren for her daughter who works night shifts. Zara sorted dozens of Christmas presents for local children last year: “I got really choked up when Santa arrived,” she said. “I was so happy seeing the kids’ faces light up.”