Our Sandwell Our Heroes – a day to celebrate

Sandwell Council has announced an annual celebration of NHS and key workers – to formally recognise them as heroes of the coronavirus pandemic.

The event will be an opportunity to tell the stories of sacrifice, of lives lost on the front line and of the community’s lasting gratitude.

Announcing the event, Deputy Leader of Sandwell Council Councillor Maria Crompton said: “Our incredible NHS workers, amazing council staff, volunteers, emergency services, essential suppliers and key worker heroes from every sector made a critical contribution that carried us through what, for most of us, has been the most difficult and unprecedented time in our history.

“In Sandwell they worked night and day, going above and beyond the call of duty, for patients admitted to hospital suffering from COVID-19, for vulnerable residents needing thousands of meal deliveries, to set up coronavirus testing centres and arrange for the safe burial of deceased loved ones.

“This annual day will be a way to recognise this exemplary, heroic commitment to Sandwell and its residents and say a heartfelt thank-you.”

Cabinet Advisor Councillor Chris Worsey will lead the initiative.

He said: “The idea is akin to how we celebrate and remember our brave Armed Forces service men and women every year on Armistice Day.

“We are going to make this Day for NHS & Key Worker Heroes a permanent fixture in our Sandwell calendar.

“As a council, we are determined to ensure we recognise who our real heroes are.

“We will celebrate these key workers – who often don’t get the recognition they deserve – not just during the pandemic but beyond.”

The event is planned for next spring, a year after the pandemic lockdown began.

Further details will follow.