Wickersley Parish Council led the local community to create a colourful 'Rainbow Roundabout' to show their appreciation to NHS and other key workers who have looked after the people of Wickersley during the Covid-19 emergency. The ribbons, pom-poms, rainbows and other tributes have now been taken down. They have been used some to make 'Thank You' Certificates and Tokens for Wickersley Covid-19 heroes and the rest will go on display in the Wickersley Community Centre for everyone to see.

Said Cllr Sue Ellis, Chair of Wickersley Parish Council, "The people of Wickersley, and certainly the children of Wickersley, really took our idea of the Rainbow Roundabout to their hearts and did a fabulous job. I'm really pleased that, with the help of local volunteers, we've been able to turn some of these ribbons into lasting mementoes to show our gratitude to all the key workers who have served and continue to serve the people of Wickersley so steadfastly during this emergency. I've been out distributing these tokens over the last few weeks to those working in our surgeries and health centres, pharmacies, shops, foodbanks, funeral services and local Post Office. And I've also been catching up with our Wickersley bin men, posties and milkmen. It's been humbling to hear some of their Covid-19 stories and learn more about the difficulties and challenges they have faced during this emergency. I know the people of Wickersley have really appreciated their care and service to us."

Local shops and businesses stayed open during 'Lockdown' and their staff did a great job in the most difficult of circumstances. Since 'Lockdown' was relaxed, shops and businesses have installed perspex screens and other measures to protect their staff - but these 'Heroes' worked without screens during the height of the pandemic.

Said Peter Cusworth of Cusworths Butchers "I came into work because it was my business, but my team didn't have to - but they did - great people"

Our local banks maintained a great service for local people.

And Wickersley Post Office - with just two members of staff - stayed open every day to make sure we had stamps for all the extra letters, cards and parcels we were sending to stay in touch with friends and family.

Heroes all of you!

All our Wickersley Key Workers were on the front line during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic but none more so than those working in our local health centres and pharmacies.

In total we gave out 104 individual tokens to key workers in health care settings which gives you an idea of just how many people were involved!

'Sunnyside Supplies' provided a local Food Bank service for people in Wickersley and the surrounding areas. A hugely valuable service meeting needs which are often hidden and about which people are reluctant to talk.

During the height of the pandemic, Sunnyside Supplies were providing over 60 food parcels each week.

A recent survey found that during the last six months of 'Lockdown' and school holidays 14% of adults with children reported experiencing 'food insecurity', many parents skipping meals to ensure there was food for their children.

THANK YOU Sunnyside Supplies for all that you, your volunteers and supporters have done to try and address these problems.

The nurseries and schools in Wickersley stayed open and staff kept working to enable parents who were in other 'key' and 'essential' areas of to also continue working..

THANK YOU!

And where would we have been without our Posties and Bin Men?? THANK YOU!