We salute you! Lancashire Telegraph celebrates all YOUR #lockdownheroes

From the health care professionals on the frontline of the fight against coronavirus to the supermarket workers keeping your cupboards stacked up with food during the lockdown, there are amazing people from all walks of life doing their best to help us in these unprecedented times.

Over the past few weeks we have covered - and will continue to cover - so many stories of amazing people and healthcare professionals doing wonderful things in these troubled times.

But today, we are turning it over to YOU and those everyday heroes you have nominated for a little love. We asked you for nominations of people who are going the extra mile, often under the radar, to help others and raise a smile in these uncertain times.

And today we recognise those #lockdownheroes and call on you to send in more nominations so we can continue to celebrate the ordinary folk doing extraordinary things to keep spirits up.

Karl Holbrook, Lancashire Telegraph editor, said: “We are launching this campaign to shine a light on all those people out there who don’t get the recognition they deserve for the everyday heroics they perform.

“It can be anyone from your bin men and your doctors to your neighbours or even members of your family who have gone the extra mile. The coronavirus epidemic is unlike anything most of us have ever experienced.

“It’s stressful for everyone at the moment and this is an ideal time to highlight the good news stories coming from people who are living and working in our communities across East Lancashire.”

Last week we asked for your nominations on Facebook and some of you have already been in touch. Those early nominations are covered here today. But we want more nominations. We want to hear about all those wonderful people out there that have helped you during this crisis.

People like May Fillingham who delivers papers across East Lancashire to ensure that the most vulnerable are getting their local and trusted news delivered to their front door.

May said: “It is wonderful to be able to go out and work, to deliver papers to the elderly or to those who can’t get out during the coronavirus lockdown.”

We salute you May!

Councillor Jim Shorrock, Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, has backed our campaign and he is urging people to come forward with nominations.

He said: “Those who have worked hard and shown commitment to our borough should be recognised and awarded. It is critical that the people who have gone above and beyond their call of duty get recognised and I support anything that recognises community commitment. I support the Lancashire Telegraph in showcasing those that have rallied round and supported each other showing true community spirit.”

MEET YOUR LOCAL #LOCKDOWNHEROES

LAURA JONES

Nominated by Georgina Whitehurst

I would like to nominate Laura Jones from Blackburn, she is a sister in the emergency department.

Laura is a special woman who always puts her colleagues before herself to make sure their wellbeing is looked after.

Even whilst being at home she goes the extra mile to put a smile on her teams face, she created a video to lift the spirits of those she works with involving the families and friends of the staff who work there.

Laura is one in a million and we are so thankful to work alongside her. Thank-you Laura, our ray of sunshine.

DOMINIQUE RICIOPPO

Nominated by Sheila Ricioppo

My hero is Dominique Ricioppo. She is a reviewer and assessor for the reablement team at social services. She’s working tirelessly in the community, to enable people to rehabilitate, and regain independence after illness.

Despite working in these difficult times, she still manages to cheerfully support her 91-year-old grandmother, and myself, both deemed high risk, whilst we are in isolation. She is so kind, thoughtful and certainly deserves a shout out.

ANDREA HINDLE

Nominated by Connaire Hindle

My mum Andrea Hindle has been shopping for her neighbours in Darwen. She is a self-employed hairstylist and hasn’t been able to cut hair but has been shopping for her elderly clients. She is kind-hearted and a great woman.

JOANNE JOHNSTON

Nominated by Paige Johnston

Joanne Johnston from Blackburn, my mother is my community hero, she is a child support worker so she’s still out to work her 24 hour shifts each week, but she’s my hero every single day of the week not just at this sad time. It was her birthday on the 14th April, so she certainly deserves some recognition.

VICTOR BOOTH

Nominated by Natalie Yates

I nominate my neighbour Victor Booth he comes out every week to clap for the NHS but he also plays the sax. He lifts the spirits of everyone in Mellor with his tunes and certainly puts a smile on our faces.

JACK AND CHLOE CONNELL

Nominated by Jackie Shirra

Jack and Chloe Connell for being kind and caring. They spent a full day decorating rocks with rainbows and inspiring messages. They then left them on people’s doorsteps in Darwen.

They are making people smile with their lovely gesture and are brightening people’s days.

BLACKBURN BINMEN

Nominated by Tahera Gora

I would like to thank my bin men who are doing a great job during this difficult time, they are always friendly and polite despite the fact that many people continue to disregard how to recycle properly.

If we all did our bit, life would be so much easier. Thank you Blackburn bin men!

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED?

Whether it’s your local pharmacist, butcher, baker, bin man, vet, courier or shop worker, we want to showcase the people within your community who truly deserve the recognition.

And as the most vulnerable are behind closed doors for a further three weeks and the pressure on the NHS is overwhelming our campaign will highlight those people who are keeping our communities moving.

Simone O’Kane, Community Manager at Newsquest said: “There are some wonderful people out there, pulling together for each other. Please share your stories so we can highlight some good, positive news during this turbulent time.”

So get in touch to tell us about your #lockdownheroes. Email your stories and nominations, including pictures, to our community manager Simone O'Kane at simone.okane@newsquest.co.uk.

Your nominations will be featured in future editions of the Lancashire Telegraph.