Leader readers say thank you to their key worker heroes

Hundreds of you responded to our call and, in the last few months, we helped thank more than 200 local key workers from all walks of life - from shop assistants keeping shelves stocked and council workers maintaining services as best they can, to the care home workers and NHS staff helping to heal and keep people safe. There are obviously many more everyday heroes left to thank.

Below are just some of the photos and messages out of the many we received…

LESLIE CHAMBERS – HOSPICE STAFF FROM WREXHAM

Judith Breese said: “She works in Nightingale House Hospice. She helped me and my daughter when I was taken very ill in a concert.”

NADINE PEERS – TEACHER & CARE WORKER FROM WREXHAM

Lauren Marie said: “I would love to nominate my auntie Nadine Peers who's working as a teacher, a care worker and at the hospital. She works so hard and we are so proud of her!”

RACHEL ORRITT-HUGHES AND JEN ORRITT-HUGHES – PARAMEDIC & EMT FROM WREXHAM

Nia Roberts said: “I’m so proud of my best friends Rachel Orritt-Hughes (Paramedic) and Jen Orritt-Hughes (EMT) from Wrexham. They juggle their two frontline jobs with long shifts, along with having a one-year-old son [Caleb] at home to care for between them. Amazing!”

CLAIRE ROBERTS – CARE HOME MANAGER FROM WREXHAM

Holly Hooson said: “I nominate Clare Roberts who is the manager at Haulfryn Care Home. She has gone above and beyond for the residents and staff as well as being a mum to two boys.”

KIERAN MCCLELLAND AND PHILLIP MACK – PARAMEDIC & EMT FROM WREXHAM

Jointed nominated by Hannah Jones and Amy Hughes, they said: “Kieran and Phillip have worked tirelessly during the COVID pandemic for WAST and definitely deserve to be recognised for their hard work.”

SUSAN HYLAND – CARE HOME MANAGER FROM WREXHAM

Katie Evans said: “Susan Hyland, manager at Hafod House Residential Home in Ruabon. A fantastic manager! Goes above and beyond to make our residents happy! Such a caring and kind person who ALWAYS put others before herself. I am very proud to call her my manager.”

JACK AND LUCY RICHARDS – DISTRICT NURSE AND PHARMACY ASSISTANT FROM FLINTSHIRE

Joanne Richards said: “My son Jack Richards from Buckley is a district nurse and my daughter Lucy Richards from Connah's Quay is a Pharmacy Assistant at Wrexham Maelor. I’m a very proud mum!”

KEVIN BOWKER – SECURITY OFFICER FROM FLINTSHIRE

Alison Bowker said: “Kevin Bowker for going above and beyond his role of Security Officer by driving all over the country to collect Scrubs for the hospital staff. He’s from Saltney, Flintshire.”

Lynette Vickers added: “Kevin travelled all the way to Cornwall and back in a day to get scrubs for the staff. Also, Iceland donated lots food and drink and Kevin went there on his day off to deliver them. He’s been working flat out going above and beyond his duties.”

GEORGE HINKS – ENGINEER FROM FLINTSHIRE

Sarah Hinks said: “We would like to give a shout out to our husband/daddy who has worked as a key worker through the whole of lockdown as an engineer in Kimberly Clark. We love you from Sarah, James and Jasmine!”

DALE EWEN – CARE WORKER FROM FLINTSHIRE

Leha Lorraine said: “My amazing key worker mum Dale Ewen works for Flintshire County Council at Marleyfield Care Home in Buckley. She is hard-working, caring and I am very proud of her. She is my best friend!”

JENNIE DOWD – CARE SERVICE DEPUTY MANAGER FROM FLINTSHIRE

Teresa Griffiths said: “Jennie Dowd from Flintshire. A deputy manager always willing to go the extra mile to ensure service users and carers are safe and well.”

JAMIE JOINSON – BUTCHER FROM CHESTER

Gaz Lewis said: “I nominate my friend Jamie Joinson from David Joinson Quality Meats in Chester. Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, Jamie and the team have been working very long hours ensuring they have products daily whilst it's been hard obtaining items from supermarkets.

“The team are also going above and beyond delivering to the surrounding areas. They've donated meat to local charities whilst also raising monies for our amazing NHS. Always smiling and as mad as a box of frogs.”

VALLEY LODGE NURSING AND RESIDENTIAL – CARE STAFF IN DENBIGHSHIRE

Clair Jones said: “I would like to nominate Valley Lodge Nursing and Residential for locking down before the lockdown. The staff have gone above and beyond caring for our relatives.”