HOW LOCAL HEROES ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE
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put themselves physically in the way of the attackers. Others had amazing foresight, herding people into shops and cafes, putting the shutters down, closing doors and blocking entrances. My mind boggled when I read of the bravery shown by people.
“These atrocities may be carried out by the worst of people but they bring out the best of people in the form of the helpers. Just look at Westminster Bridge, Manchester and Finsbury Park.
“Look also at Grenfell Tower and the Clutha, which, although a different kind of tragedy, provoked the same response from helpers. The emergency services did a tremendous job.”
Donald, who has worked in the area “Unsurprisingly, many were nervous about coming back to work. My friend’s son is a chef in a hotel three miles away from the market and he had a wobble the other day. Anyone working in the tourism and leisure business in the London area is rightly apprehensive after what has happened.”
The Borough Market was praised for its resilience by Prince Harry who visited last week.
Donald said: “We’ve also had lots of support f rom the market communities across the globe. The fish markets of Sydney and Melbourne in Australia sent donations, as did markets in Germany. Prince Harry visiting also helped with the healing process. It’s clear that everybody has a real affection for Borough.
“I am not surprised as it truly is one of the best markets in the world. I’ve worked in the area for more than 16 years and I’ve always been knocked out by its very strong sense of community.”
He added: “There was never any doubt that the market’s community would pull together in a crisis, but it is humbling to see that solidarity in action.
“Borough Market has been through so much but it’s still standing. If locals and tourists continue to come like they have since it reopened, it will hopefully remain an important London landmark for another thousand years.”