A SUPERMARKET’S community champion has been described as an unsung hero after delivering hundreds of gifts for Covid-19 patients and families in need.
Gillian Robinson has only been a community champion at Barnard Castle’s Morrisons supermarket for three months, but already she has won the hearts of scores of people across the dale.
Particularly grateful is Jessica Lee-Shield, who works at Darlington Memorial Hospital.
She said: “Gillian has been delivering hundreds of gifts donated by Morrisons to members of the community.
“She has given me lots of donations for Darlington Memorial Hospital – in particular things for patients such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower gel and crossword books.
“These are things they may not have brought in with them and things that family are not allowed in to deliver.”
Also benefitting from the community champion’s effort is The Hub’s care parcel scheme, set up to deliver essentials to more than a hundred needy homes in Teesdale each week.
Ms Robinson said The Hub is performing a vital role in the community.
She added: “They are doing a fantastic job in feeding so many people and families in such worrying times. We are supporting them by donating a pallet of food to them each week which includes fresh eggs and bread along with cupboard essentials.
“We have also been trying to spread a little cheer and help support key workers around the town by donating Easter eggs, hampers and refreshments to the emergency services hub, Teesdale district nurses, Richardson Hospital staff, care home staff and Deerbolt staff.”
The supermarket also supplied baby monitors to hospital staff in Barnard Castle and Bishop Auckland to support them in caring for patients through as little physical contact as possible.
Ms Robinson praised customers for adhering to social distancing measures in place at the supermarket and paid tribute to the staff working there. She said: “On a whole most people are adhering to the restrictions put in place – the queues outside and for the checkouts.
“I would just like to say that we thank our customers for sticking to the regulations at this difficult time and thank you to all the staff – every
single person plays their part in helping serve our customers.”
Of the community champion’s effort, Ms Lee-Shield concluded: “She is a huge unsung hero in this community.”
