Mayor presents Local Heroes with certificates for contribution during pandemic
Health Walk leaders praised
A group of Health Walk leaders, who head various walks around Eastleigh Borough, have been presented with Local Heroes certificates by the Mayor, Councillor Cynthia Garton, after nominations were submitted from the community praising individuals and groups who helped people during a very challenging time.
The Council launched the Local Heroes campaign earlier this year which asked for nominations from residents in the Borough that had experienced kindness and generosity from individuals and groups throughout the pandemic.
As soon as small groups were allowed to meet up again during lockdown, our Health Walks programme encouraged people to join up and take a socially distanced walk together after spending weeks confined to their homes. The volunteer walk leaders maintained these activities and allowed many people who had been inactive for a while or lacked motivation, to get back outside and join them in these walks around the Borough.
Many of the people taking part in these walks had felt socially isolated as restrictions were in place and this gave them the opportunity to get back outside again in the company of others, knowing that they were safe and following government guidelines.
The Mayor, Councillor Cynthia Garton, said: “We really appreciate everything that these volunteers have done to support others in the community during an incredibly tough time for everyone. These people showed compassion and acted selflessly to help the mental and physical health of people around them in their local areas. Being able to recognise them and their kindness at a face-to-face event was fantastic.”
The volunteers were celebrated at a special presentation event which included a walk around Stoneham Park with the Mayor; she then presented them with Local Heroes certificates to thank them for the support and care they showed to others.
During the presentation two special volunteers were recognised for their service: Brenda Clarke and Daphne Ackerman have both served over ten years of volunteering as walk leaders for the Council, they received a bouquet of flowers along with their certificates.
When we launched the Local Heroes awards scheme we received countless stories of compassion, creativity and generosity when they asked for nominations with over 100 individuals and groups nominated for an award.
These were given to people for providing support, such as giving essential supplies to those shielding, checking on somebody living on their own, keeping open spaces accessible for others and even repairing bikes for exercise.
More of these certificates will be given out to nominees in the coming months.