News | Coronavirus heroes


downsmail.co.uk Stepping up to help others


IT took a global pandemic to bring the very best out of local people during the coronavirus outbreak, writes Jade Schopman. Hundreds of families across the


Maidstone borough showed amaz- ing willpower and determination to keep not only local businesses going, but their vulnerable neigh- bours and friends too. Local residents carried out acts of


kindness in the midst of the deadly virus, from dressing up as a di- nosaur to raise money for health- care workers to extraordinary examples of street art in quiet neighbourhoods. Even when the virus was at its


peak, communities made sure those in quarantine did not feel alone and turned cancelled events into opportunities to give back to the community. An Indian takeaway in Allington


gave away more than 1,000 free meals to key workers, and a Maid- stone taxi service offered compli-


Treadmill run


helps hospice A BEARSTED man ran a half marathon on his treadmill to help the Heart of Kent Hospice. Tom Corkery (58), of The Or-


chard, had planned to take part in the Paddock Wood half marathon with his daughter, Claire, but the event was postponed. Tom, who works at the Gal-


lagher Group, said: “My daughter wasn’t even born the first time I ran the Paddock Wood Half Marathon, 30 years ago.” Tom raised over £9,000 and com-


pleted the run in under two hours. HOKH chief executive Sarah


Pugh said: “It means a huge amount to us that Tom set himself this treadmill challenge to support our emergency appeal. “We have been overwhelmed by


the generosity of our community in helping Heart of Kent Hospice make up the shortfall in fundrais- ing caused by the coronavirus.”


Airshow date


THE Battle of Britain Airshow at Headcorn Aerodrome, postponed from June, will now go ahead this year, from September 25-27. A spokesman said: “If you hold a


June 2020 ticket but would prefer not to attend the September show, you can use your ticket in 2021.” The 2021 show will be held from June 25 to 27.


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BARTY House Nursing Home received a donation of colourful head bands, scrub hats and uniform bags from the Maidstone Sewing Group. The items were gratefully received and were used by staff when car- ing day-to-day for residents at the nursing home. Barty House manager Gabriele Jerome said: “The donation will come in extremely useful and we are


so very touched by the group’s kindness and thoughtfulness at this difficult time. Clearly, community spirit really is alive and well in Bearsted and Maidstone.” The group is one of several set up throughout the community to sew scrubs for NHS and care home


workers. Piper Neil leads NHS support


THE former headmaster of Maidstone Grammar School led his neighbours in the weekly hand-clapping for NHS workers – wearing his Scottish costume, regalia and playing the bag- pipes. Neil Turrell, who retired from


the Barton Road school in 2008 after running it for 17 years, was taught to play in his youth by an Army apprentice and it became a lifelong hobby. Neighbours assembled as he marched along the street playing


such tunes as Scotland The Brave, Skye Boat Song, Amazing Grace and Flower of Scotland, concluding with Abide With Me. Mr Turrell said: “I’m delighted


to have supported my neigh- bours in recognising the work of doctors, nurses and essential workers.” After his retirement Neil, past


president of Maidstone River- side Rotary Club, became head for six years at a school in Singa- pore, where his bagpiping tal- ents were also in demand.


mentary rides to NHS staff work- ing on the frontline. Local primary schoolchildren


were busy drawing get well cards for patients during their stay at Maidstone Hospital, which helped to lift spirits. More than 50 cards with hand-


Lily Buck raised £2,000 through her YouTube channel to deliver care packages to key workers. She is pictured with her sister, Isabelle


written messages were distributed to different wards at the hospital. Nine-year-old Lily Buck, of


Snodland, went the extra mile and raised nearly £2,000 for key work- ers by completing a series of chal- lenges on her YouTube channel. The St Katherine’s School pupil


delivered 150 individual care pack- ages, 40 individual boxes of after- noon tea, 150 cupcakes, six 30 bar chocolates hampers and 150 sweet cones with the help of younger sis- ter Isabelle. MP for Faversham and Mid Kent


Helen Whately said: “This crisis has produced many heroes. “People working on the frontline


across the NHS and social care are doing truly heroic work. But the frontline does not stop at health and social care. “Firefighters, police, farmers, su-


permarket workers, deliverers, teachers, council workers, bus and train drivers are all playing a cru- cial role in keeping our country going at this difficult time. And there are many others. “Heroes come in many different


forms.”


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