The final countdown of your Helensburgh and Lomond Lockdown Heroes

Nurses, shop owners, teachers, postmen, neighbours, volunteers and many, many more have been given a shout-out in the pages of the Advertiser in our initiative, in partnership with the Helensburgh Garelochside Rotary Club and sponsors Lake Construction Ltd.

Tariq Durrani from the Helensburgh Garelochside Rotary Club said: “The club has been delighted with the response to its initiative, organised jointly with the Advertiser, to recognise deserving individuals and organisations that have contributed so much to support the community in its hour of need through the distressing times of the pandemic.

“Our ‘Lockdown Heroes’ have made a lasting impression through the kindness of their efforts, generosity of spirit and arduous hard work, as they go ‘that extra mile’ to help members of the community. The Helensburgh Garelochside Rotary Club is honouring our ‘Lockdown Heroes’ by rewarding them with a testimonial of appreciation’ as a small token of our esteem.”

READ MORE: Your Helensburgh and Lomond Lockdown Heroes: Week 1

Craig Borland, the Advertiser's senior content editor, added: "It's been really humbling to read about the ways so many people in Helensburgh and Lomond have put others before themselves during the pandemic.

"Some of them have gone above and beyond in the course of their work, others have contributed their own special skills, and others still have made a huge difference to somebody's life through a simple, kind gesture such as doing a neighbour's shopping.

"I know everybody who has got in touch to nominate someone for a special mention as a 'Lockdown Hero' is incredibly grateful for their efforts ­– and it's been a real privilege to be able to share some of those small but significant stories."

And although this week’s list is the last in our ‘Lockdown Heroes’ series, it's very definitely a case of "last but not least"...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

First up is Eilidh Talman, who was nominated as a ‘Lockdown Hero’ - despite not strictly making a difference to the community of Helensburgh, Eilidh went to Hermitage Academy and parents Sheila and Iain still live in Queen Street.

Sheila said: “Every day since the lockdown started she has sung a bright, cheery pop song to her neighbours in Gateshead and her followers on Facebook - a Stay Strong Sing Along!

“She has created community with many of the neighbours now singing and dancing along with her every day. She intends finishing with a flourish on day 100.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

READ MORE: Helensburgh medical staff say a public 'thank you' to scrub uniform volunteers

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Diane White put forward Michael Gilchrist and all the postmen and women in Helensburgh.

Diane said: “They have worked all through the pandemic with their usual cheerful and helpful ways.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Lynn Brown at Rhu Primary School nominated Jim Purdon, who lives in School Road, as a local hero.

“Jim has been tending to our garden at the front of the school and it is looking beautiful,” said Lynn.

“We cannot thank him enough for all his help, we are so grateful.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

READ MORE: Your Helensburgh and Lomond Lockdown Heroes: Week 2

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Sheenah Nelson got in touch to nominate Garelochhead and Rosneath Peninsula First Responders as ‘Lockdown Heroes’, who are doing “a first-class job” in supporting people both on the Peninsula and in the Helensburgh area.

Sheenah said: “They have been stepped down by the Scottish Ambulance Service in their role as community first responders but continue with weekly training in that role in readiness to answer emergency callouts.

“Their new role as Community Resilience Team members involves: carrying out welfare checks on shielded persons in the community, collecting and delivering prescriptions for shielded persons, transporting shielded persons to and from doctors surgeries, operating a modified minibus to transport mobile and shielded patients to and from hospitals and surgeries safely, facilitating ‘soap aid’ donations to Helensburgh and Rosneath food banks, and facilitating the supply of hand sanitizer to West of Scotland Regional Resilience Partnership Members.

“John Webb (pictured below) from Garelochhead Peninsula Resilience Team met up with Trossachs Search and Rescue Resilience Team at McDonald’s car park in Balloch to collect supplies of hand sanitizer for his team, and also a supply for the Resilience Team from the Isle of Skye, who were travelling down from Skye to meet up with John in Helensburgh to collect their supplies.

“All these Community Resilience Team members are volunteers who give their free time to support their community and the local NHS and indeed should be recognised and thanked for the wonderful work that they do.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

READ MORE: Your Helensburgh and Lomond Lockdown Heroes: Week 3

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Sheenah also offered a second nomination, this time for the general manager, Lynn Graham, and staff at the Rosslea Hall Hotel in Rhu.

Sheenah added: “The Rosslea Hall Hotel has remained open for key workers for the Faslane naval base. They are very busy and working 24/7 to support the community.

“In the community they have dropped off over 200 deliveries within the Rhu and Helensburgh area. This has ranged from essential shopping to collection and delivery of prescriptions.

“They have also enjoyed having lots of gatepost chats with those in the community who have benefited from their help.

“The staff have also made telephone calls to several people in the community who are alone and welcome a chat with someone.

“I really feel we should recognise the stalwart service they are giving to the community in making that vital difference.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Fiona Higgins was nominated by Anita Coogan, who said: “Fiona has supported us by collecting our prescriptions while we are in shielding. As well as being a key worker delivering school lunches and caring for children, she always makes time to help us if we need her. We have been so lucky to have such a wonderful friend.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

READ MORE: Your Helensburgh and Lomond Lockdown Heroes: Week 4

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Staff at the Zero Waste Shop in Helensburgh were nominated by members of the Grey Matters Active Ageing group, who said: “The shop has delivered wonderful baking packs to 50 of our members all over Helensburgh and Lomond. All done with a smile! Much appreciated.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mrs Oliver, a P3 teacher at John Logie Baird Primary School, was nominated by Lisa Grieveson.

Lisa said: “She has supported my son amazingly from day one of lockdown. Her daily videos for the kids are great at keeping them all connected. Her constant support has been amazing for us.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Elizabeth Petriel gave a shoutout to Janet Begg and her husband Gary, saying: "They have been delivering homemade soup and goodies to my 92-year-old housebound father on a regular basis, we as a family really appreciate their kindness during this difficult time.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

READ MORE: Helensburgh nursing student 'so proud' as she steps up to answer NHS call

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

John O’Brien, owner of the Nippy Sweety shop in Sinclair Street, was put forward by Karen Mulholland, who said: “He and his family, from day one, have delivered to over 100 customers daily who are shielding or isolating, free of charge. Also assisted with shopping packs for care home staff.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

James Mitchell was nominated by Helen-Maris Findlay.

She said: “James is my social worker who has got shopping for us since the lockdown began. He has stood in long queues and been at the supermarkets from 7am, we are shielding and don’t know what we would have done without him.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Jim Auld contacted us to commend Paul at the Kilcreggan Village Store.

Jim said: “Paul has done a fantastic job at keeping the shelves stocked throughout this time of crisis, going above and beyond to look after the local community and making his shop a safe environment.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

READ MORE: Rosneath Peninsula volunteers make and donate 1,000th item of vital PPE

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

We also received a nomination for Hilary Sawyer, from reader Inez Campbell.

Inez wrote: “Hilary answered my plea on social media for milk and private messaged me to say she would get it – that was on April 3 and she is still shopping for us. It is difficult to express my thanks in just 50 words!”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

READ MORE: Check out all the latest news stories from across Helensburgh and Lomond by clicking here