THE pandemic has had a devastating impact, affecting millions of people across the world since the first recorded case in late 2019.
But from this hardship, heroes have emerged, and lots of them live in Sussex.
As the UK prepared to be plunged into lockdown last March, Claire Stone from Brighton noticed people in the supermarkets with empty trolleys as they were beaten to basic items by panic buyers.
The 32-year-old began collecting donations of food and essential items to create care packages for people who are isolating, elderly and vulnerable.
Claire Stone and fellow volunteers at the Community Help covid-19 Sussex
After starting her crusade, she said her phone was soon “blowing up” with offers from people wanting to do their bit.
A Facebook group called the Community Help Covid-19 Sussex group was quickly formed and a huge number of care packages were distributed.
While these heroics helped hundreds of people across the city, others took the term a little more literally.
Asda delivery driver Ian Williams kept customers smiling by turning up as Superman while doing his rounds.
Asda home shopping driver Ian Williams has been delivering dressed as Superman
Kind-hearted youngster Olivia Edgeler designed and made more than 100 personalised Easter cards for Peacehaven residents, which she delivered during her daily walk.
She was worried that people might feel lonely during the lockdown.
“I thought this might cheer them up,” Olivia, who was eight at the time, told The Argus.
Olivia Edgeler has designed, made and delivered more than 100 Easter cards across Peacehaven
“I’m putting Easter decorations and happy faces on the cards and lots of other different things. Then I write messages inside like ‘stay safe’ or ‘keep smiling’.”
Now many of the heroes we see are part of the immense UK vaccination effort.
Pharmacist Shilpa Patel gives the thumbs up at Portslade Health Centre
Shilpa Patel is one of them, leading a team of medical professionals and devoted volunteers aiming to bring the Covid pandemic to an end, one jab at a time.
She told The Argus she hopes all patients – young and old – will receive their jab “within six to eight weeks” at the vaccine hub at Portslade Health Centre, or at the Brighton Centre site.
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