This week Rutland and Melton MP Alicia Kearns has given special recognition to the Larder in Oakham, Jim Bluck from Hallaton and Joe Orson, the leader of Melton Borough Council for their heroic and community-oriented response to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Every week, Alicia celebrates at least one winner of the ‘Unsung Hero’ award, raising awareness of people doing extraordinary things locally, available support and bolstering community spirit amidst the pandemic. All those recognised will receive a certificate of recognition, a badge and be invited to a celebratory event once the pandemic is over as a small way to say thank you.
The Larder in Oakham, is a small coffee shop owned by Iain Stares and Alyson Kyle. Despite being asked to open their doors as a take-away, they have focused all their efforts on providing free meals to anyone in need, with the elderly, self-isolating individuals and key workers prioritised.
Jim Bluck from Hallaton has committed his time to making and delivering free boxes of vegetables to self-isolating and vulnerable people in his village and beyond.
The Leader of Melton Borough Council, Joe Orson, has taken in 70 Army ceremonial horses to allow the Army to focus their efforts on responding to COVID-19.
Rutland and Melton MP, Alicia Kearns, said:
“I am immensely grateful to Ian, Alyson, Jim and Joe who are each going above and beyond to support our communities in a time of such crisis. I am enormously moved by their kindness.
“These individual contributions epitomise the national spirit required for our country to beat this crisis and Ian, Alyson, Jim and Joe are a credit to their families, our communities and indeed our country.”
Other organisations who have already been recognised as heroes are Rutland Plastics, who adapted their plastic injection moulding firm to produce medical equipment for the ExCel Nightingale Ward Hospital in London, Oakham School’s Design and Technology Department, which has been creating thousands of face shields for frontline staff, and Leicestershire and Rutland 4 x 4 drivers who have been delivering essentials and transporting vulnerable community members.
Oakham School is looking for donations of PVC or PET rolls of clear plastic that can be used as the shield - please contact Alicia directly if you can donate. The Larder also has a Just Giving page, which can be found here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/free-food-for-rutland
Alicia Kearns MP is encouraging Rutland and Melton residents to email her if they know of a person or organisation working to help the community who deserves recognition and continues to focus on supporting constituents throughout the outbreak.
