Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
‘Fit and able’ called to help
A HOUNSLOW councillor has been forced to postpone his wedding as the coronavirus pandemic has left a “cloud of fear” hanging over the special day.
Isleworth member Salman Shaheen and his partner Anna Ward were getting excited about their upcoming nuptials due at the end of May but instead have spent their weekend frantically on the phone reorganising the celebration for 120 people.
Despite having fixed their spring wedding at Strawberry Hill House near Twickenham, the couple who live in Brentford, are worried for their parents and older relatives who would be at higher risk of suffering from the deadly disease.
“We were really excited about it… We were preparing for the wedding, we had just booked the cake, Anna had got her dress. We booked the string quartet and a DJ,” Salman said.
“Slowly this coronavirus was creeping and creeping up and at first we had a discussion, should we postpone the wedding? At that moment it was a month ago, only a small handful of cases here in the UK. But in the last week everything kicked off.
“Unfortunately the peak is slap bang when we’d have our wedding. We have got family, relatives who are in the higher risk category…it would be such a shame if they couldn’t come.”
We’ve set up a Facebook group for London residents to share information and advice which benefits the community and helps keep people safe regarding the current pandemic.
The 35-year-old added: “A cloud of fear was just gathering over the wedding at a time that is supposed to be the happiest time of your life.”
And the global virus has also left Anna’s jetsetter hen do to Spain “up in the air” as global borders are closing and the Mediterranean nation had nearly 8,000 cases confirmed as of March 15.
But the couple – both former journalists – have luckily not had to abandon years of wedding planning because of the crisis. They have managed to rearrange the big day for early September at no extra cost.
“We have managed to postpone, the venue has been very good and kind to us and allowed us to move the dates – and the registrars and the suits – managed to get all that changed, they have been very reasonable,” Salman said.
“All the wedding suppliers they have said a lot of people are doing this now, everyone’s being very reasonable about it as ever they can in a crisis. I want to thank Strawberry Hill House and Madeleine’s cakes, Richmond Council and everyone else who’s postponed and been a help to us…
“It’s a massive shame, but I’m optimistic that by the end of summer we will be okay. I really do hope…we don’t know whether the heat will kill it off, if the peak will have come and gone and people are feeling much safer then.”
Salman flew out to meet Anna in Madrid, with a ring “burning a hole” in his pocket that he had the help of choosing from fellow councillor and friend Cllr Shantanu Rajawat – who works in the diamond ring business.
Following the surprise proposal the couple, who met at a picnic in Regents Park three years ago, celebrated the big step on a day trip to Toledo, the World Heritage Site south of the capital.
“It is amazing what happens in Wuhan fish markets can affect what happens in West London and whether a couple can get married or not,” Salman added.
“I could never imagine this happening… We hope everyone we know and love can get through it.”
HAMMERSMITH and Fulham Council is looking to mobilise volunteers who can help vulnerable people during the coronavirus outbreak.
Council leader Stephen Cowan released a statement yesterday (March 18) calling on fit and able residents to join the H&F CAN (community action network).
Mr Cowan said: “We are lucky to have so many kind people living and working in our borough and are looking to capture all the goodwill and potential for more volunteers across our community.”
His statement continued: “There is already an extensive network of people and organisations who volunteer. People who run food banks, homeless shelters, youth clubs, community centres, residents’ groups, and much more. We are working with different community organisations across our borough to set up H&F CAN – a resilience network.”
He said H&F CAN will:
■ Coordinate a borough-wide volunteer operation
■ Provide an easy way to make donations and support vulnerable people
■ Respond to and support residents most in need
Mr Cowan also said: “There are many people in our borough who are extremely vulnerable. I can reassure you that we have been mapping who they are and have an extensive plan to help them. We will always do everything we can to support our most vulnerable residents.”
THE dad of a Labour candidate who stood against Boris Johnson in the 2019 General Election has died from coronavirus.
Ali Milani confirmed the news on social media on Saturday March 21 in an announcement which also urged others to listen to medical advice.
Milani stood as Labour’s parliamentary candidate in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, in the election against Boris Johnson.
The council has also taken several actions amid the coronavirus crisis, including:
Appointed a new officer as director of COVID-19 response, who will coordinate how the council will build up its “capacity and capabilities” so that it can respond to issues as they arise
Created a Borough Emergency Control Centre which will coordinate services and respond “effectively and with speed”
Cancelled all council meetings until late April
Trained and re-allocated staff to focus on “supporting people in our community, and maintaining our ability to provide essential services”
To find out how you can volunteer in the borough, please visit: https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/helpyour-neighbours-volunteeringour-community-aid-network