WE have been overwhelmed by the response of our call out for your community heroes and the stories you have told us of their lives on the frontline.

Now is more important than ever to praise our key workers from around Harwich and Manningtree who have been risking their lives and giving up their time to help others through these unprecedented times as lockdown continues.

As well as thanking incredible individuals, we are also grateful for volunteer groups and a range of businesses in the area.

One resident who has been hugely appreciated is Dale Cheesman who has been praised for helping with shopping for the vulnerable, but also for providing a space where meals can be cooked for the vulnerable.

Zoe Marie Double said: “She opened the Park Pavilion community centre, in Harwich, for those of us evacuated due to the police car fires, providing tea and coffee for free.

“But more than that, she is an amazing neighbour, who is checking on me and my family and helps whenever she can.”

All staff members at Acorn Village, in Mistley, have been nominated for their incredible work, including the carers, the director, the HR department, the office staff, and the coffee shop staff.

Julie Kessler, said: “They are all doing an amazing job with looking after residents with learning disabilities and helping them understand the best they can.

“The dedication they show is amazing and they are all working as a great team.”

Nursery staff members at Oaklea Montessori, in Ramsey, including Becky, Dana and Adell have been thanked for being a supportive team.

Laura Grosvenor said: “They are working hard to support families at home and care for children who are coming into the nursery at Ramsey.

“As a supportive team, I couldn’t wish for more.

“You are going above and beyond, thank you all.”

Lami Bearder, Harwich foodbank’s manager, has praised all volunteers at the foodbank for helping the vulnerable out.

Katie Bennett has put forward Hazel Bennett for working as a nurse at Harwich Hospital on the frontline every day.

Halstead Gazette: Hazel BennettHazel Bennett

She said: “She is amazing, working hours and hours of overtime just to help others.

“She is selfless and so caring, and never puts herself first.”

Sara Morfoot has praised M K Jordans newsagents, in Dovercourt, namely her mum Mary and the rest of her staff Caroline, Billy, Steve, Richard, all the paper boys and girls Jay, Dylan, Marshall, Leila, Josh, Callum, Millie, Bradley and Alfie.

She said: “You have all helped my mum keep her shop open, thank you.

“Thank you goes to all her customers as well for respecting the staff and giving them the distance to work safely.”

Kirsty Jayne has nominated her stepdad, Geoff Scott for working hard at Morrisons, in Dovercourt.

Maverick Taylor, has praised Robbie Lee Sanchez, a retail worker, for always making sure customers have a smile on their faces while they are coping with the pandemic.

“He is a legend and works very hard,” added Mr Taylor.

Maria Stephenson, Darren Newman and all the people donating to make sure the local hospitals have enough PPE, have been thanked for their generosity too.

Halstead Gazette: Michael MurrayMichael Murray

Michael Murray of East of England Co-Op Funeral Services has been nominated for doing his job with the “utmost dignity, working every hour of every day during this pandemic”.

Danni Pratt has nominated her dad, Darren, who is a retail worker at Asda for “keeping the shelves restocked for everyone, constantly keeping deliveries coming in and works non-stop, six days a week”.

Halstead Gazette: Darren PrattDarren Pratt

The Harwich Helps team, who “has done an amazing job in supporting vulnerable people since the start of this pandemic” has also been put forward.

Maggie Harvey has selected “all the ladies still going into work at Noah’s Nursery looking after children of key workers”.

She said: “Well done ladies: Zoe, Kay, Sam, Tiff, The two Beth’s, Kirsten, Sara, Asha and Shaylie.”

Simon Collis said he would like to do a mass nomination to all the people in north Essex who are keeping to the rules, staying in and only going out for essential needs.

He said: “Well done to all of us - the majority.”

Colette Dawson, was on a similar wavelength and decided to nominate Harwich and Dovercourt as a whole.

She said: “Everyone is still keeping everything going, no matter what it is they do.

“They all are heroes.”