Salute to our Covid heroes
GREATER Manchester is filled with incredible people who have gone out of their way to make life a little bit easier for others during the pandemic.
The difficult circumstances we have faced have brought out the best in many people.
Across all our communities, there are countless people who have stepped up to help in many different ways, from our key workers, to the businesses that offered free food, to the people who raised money for the NHS.
We’ve teamed up with Amazon to celebrate the Covid Heroes of Greater Manchester.
We asked you to tell us who you thought deserved special recognition for what they have done for others this year, and we were inundated with hundreds of nominations.
● See next Sunday’s Manchester Evening News for more of our Covid Heroes.
■ Harriet Palusiak
Nursing student Harriet found an alternative way to support the NHS when she had to shield during the first lockdown.
Harriet is in her third year at the University of Bolton and also works as a bank healthcare assistant at Royal Bolton Hospital.
She has multiple sclerosis, and back in the Spring was advised to shield as she was not on medication.
Instead, she knitted and crocheted ‘frontline hero’ bears, raising hundreds of pounds for the NHS.
Mum of two Harriet, 29, from Milnrow, is married to Matthew, who nominated her as his Covid Hero.
Matthew said: “She was originally told by her consultant she must shield as she wasn’t on any medication after breastfeeding our daughter.
“Fortunately, they got her on medication as soon as they could, and it is within this time frame that she began crocheting and selling the bears, all whilst looking after the kids and running the house as I was key working as a breakdown recovery driver.”
Harriet has now been able to get back to work and is on a placement at a Covid ward in Bolton. She is donating more than £600 she raised by selling her bears to the ward.
Harriet has a dedicated Instagram page for her bears at: @harriet_the_ happy_hooker
■ Julie Stansfield
As soon as the news of the first lockdown was announced, Julie set up a group called Coronaheroes to help people who were vulnerable or needed support to look after themselves and their families.
From picking up and delivering vital medication to driving people for hospital appointments, through to helping out with a cup of sugar and pint of milk, Julie helped make it happen.
Natalie Cunningham, who nominated Julie, said: “Julie’s little group helped those in need at a time when they needed it most. She is an inspiration to all and a true corona hero.’’
Julie’s group helps to link people, groups and networks in their local areas to share information and stories and look out for one another. It also inspired the formation of other groups.
Natalie added: “Julie was able to mobilise lots of people from her personal network and beyond. Hundreds came forward to volunteer in all sorts of different ways.
“Everything from collecting prescriptions, meal deliveries and care packages to help with home schooling and check-in phone calls for older people.
“Julie’s belief in ‘ being human’ and the goodness in us all is what makes her so special. She never gives up!”
■ Cheryl Henderson
Cheryl works at the Amazon fulfilment centre at Airport City, and has been nominated by fellow workers Jenny Candiano and Matthew Jennys.
She was nominated for her work in the community, supporting a local charity to collect and distribute food to those in need.
Jenny said: “Cheryl and her young family have given their time to support their local community during COVID and Cheryl has volunteered her time to help with the distribution of donations of food and other essential items to the people who need them most.”
■ Claire Oliver
Claire owns Minikin, a pot-painting cafe in Sale.
She responded to Marcus Rashford’s campaign to make sure no child went hungry by providing baked potatoes, soup and treat bags to hundreds of local children throughout October half-term.
She rallied an army of volunteer drivers and raised thousands to buy ingredients from people in Sale who responded immediately to her appeal. .
Michelle O’Leary, who was among those who nominated Claire, first met her when she helped her mum.
Michelle said: “She is one of the kindest, most selfless people I’ve ever met.
“She had found my mum wandering and confused (due to) dementia outside her shop. Claire brought her in and gave her tea and biscuits and found my number in her bag and called me.
“Claire prepared and delivered with her mum Monica hot school meals for children on free dinners during October half-term. Many in Sale donated to fund ingredients.
“Claire has continued to use those funds to support children, through schools, local hubs and the toy appeals to provide Christmas presents for children.
“She’s ensured children still get to see Father Christmas by moving her grotto into her ‘Hatch’ that she made during lockdown so the kids can still visit Santa by standing outside and chatting through the hatch”.
Claire’s sister Louise added: “Everything Claire’s done, she’s done whilst having to think of creative ways of keeping her business running in these difficult times.
“She’s a friendly face and a listening ear to people that need it. She’ll make time for anyone who needs support no matter how busy she is. This is such a lovely way to recognise a very special person.”
Michelle added: “She does all these things because she’s simply a lovely, good person. She absolutely is a Covid Hero”.
■ Johnathon Sands
Johnathon, who runs his own sports company, held online sports classes for families from Monday to Friday throughout both lockdowns. He also got his whole street active with ‘driveway dancing’ and singing sessions and delivered food parcels to vulnerable people. Johnathon, from Westhoughton, created Kickstarterz Sports last year in January, aiming to get children active through fun and engaging sports sessions.
When he wasn’t busy keeping everyone else active, he also ran 100 miles in just 30 days, raising more than £650 for Mental Health UK, and wrote openly about his own mental health on his blog hoping it would inspire others to feel they could do the same. He did all this while also home schooling his two sons.
His partner Samantha, who nominated him as her Covid Hero, said: “He truly deserves recognition for all the tremendous work he does”.
She does all these things because she is simply a lovely, good person. Michelle O’Leary nominating Claire Oliver