Carnforth to reward residents who have gone extra mile during pandemic at virtual ceremony

A special virtual ceremony is to be held this week to honour members of the Carnforth community who have gone above and beyond dyuring the Covid-19 pandemic.
Carnforth Town Council will be recognising some of the town's residents at a virtual ceremony in January.Carnforth Town Council will be recognising some of the town's residents at a virtual ceremony in January.
Carnforth Town Council will be recognising some of the town's residents at a virtual ceremony in January.

The Carnforth community will remember that for 10 weeks between April and June, Carnforth Town Council requested nominations for all those people who had gone that ‘extra mile’ to help others during the first lockdown – known as the Carnforth Citizen of Merit Awards.

Given how Carnforth has always come together when needed, the town council was not surprised to receive many worthy nominations - more than 90 of them!

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It was always the town council’s intention to present their Citizens of Merit nominees with a certificate and a gift to mark their achievement and the gratitude of the local community at an event and reception to be held at the local Civic Hall.

However, because Covid-19 has lingered for far longer than anyone would have liked, this has not been possible.

Not to be beaten, the town council now plans to hold a special Zoom event on Thursday January 14 from 6.30pm, with some invited guests who will add their own personal thanks to all the local heroes, including Carnforth mayor Coun Kath Bromilow, Lancaster City Council leader Coun Erica Lewis and the director of communities and the environment, Mark Davies.

Coun Bromilow said: "From very early on in the pandemic our local community has gone above and beyond to provide support and advice to our vulnerable residents.

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"Within days of the first lockdown, on March 23, the Carnforth Covid-19 Isolation Support Group was launched by Liam Law and Andrea Wren, two of our residents.

"The town council soon backed them by leafleting over 3,000 properties, making the public aware of the services and assistance available, including shopping, dog-walking, food bank drop offs, collections of prescriptions, advice, information and business support or just a friendly voice on the other end of the phone.

"But our Citizen of Merit Award winners are not just volunteers from the ground; they came from every aspect of our local community and covered all ages – the youngest just 10 years old at the time!

"Carnforth Town Council has always been proud of our citizens and local community but the Covid-19 pandemic has taken this to higher level than even we had imagined!

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"Relationships locally and across the district, with community groups, other parish and town councils and Lancaster City Council have been cemented and incentivised like never before – all to keep vulnerable residents safe and well, linked to the specific resources and help they needed.

"Through the incredible efforts of volunteers and many more who are part of the Carnforth community we were recently awarded a Covid-19 Certificate of Recognition from the High Sheriff of Lancashire.

"Well, now it is the town’s turn to show our gratitude to every single one of our Citizen of Merit nominees at a special virtual ceremony on January 14.

"I encourage all nominees to get in touch with us so that we can express our thanks for what they have done for others during these challenging times."