Coronavirus: Bognor business delivers ice cream to NHS workers and 'unsung heroes of community'

Those were the words of an NHS worker from Bognor Regis after he was delivered ice cream by a local business as a thank you for the work he is doing during the coronavirus pandemic.

Lyon Street resident Steve Wiltshire, a social worker at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham, was one of a number of key workers and ‘unsung heroes of the community’ to be recognised by former nurse Katy Alston, from Pinks Parlour, who called for nominations in Bognor and Chichester.

Steve, said it was really touching after he was delivered the ice cream after being nominated by his partner Rachel Seymour.

He said: "Usually we dip under the radar and people don't always appreciate what we do so it's quite wonderful.

"I'm part of the social work team and operate on all wards and many of which, sadly, have the virus. It is a nerve-wracking time for staff and it is stuff like this that inspires you to go back in and do your bit.

"The public are doing their bit. We've got local companies in Portsmouth who have been kind to sort out pizzas for the doctors and the nurses. It's just lovely."

Rachel, who is also in the key worker system as a teacher, said the ice cream donation might seem a small gesture but she said the 'boost' it gave Steve was 'lovely to see'.

"It was such a kind thing to do," she added. It put a smile on his face.

"It's definitely a challenging time for anyone in the key worker system. He enjoys it but there is an element of anxiety and worry of going to do your role in the hospital with a possible exposure to the virus.

"It's just a bit of ice cream but the recognition and thought behind it meant a lot.

"It's all very odd but everyone is doing their bit and trying to help others."

Elderly residents, living on their own, were also recognised. Alison Brunnock, a community specialist hospice nurse at St Wilfred’s Hospice, has been unable to see her father, Neil Harris, 85, who is self isolating alone at his home in Bognor.

She said it was ‘just so nice’ of Katy to deliver him ice cream and show that ‘someone else was thinking of him and looking after him'.

She said: "I deal with a lot of people who live on their own and I know how important it is.

"I was really grateful. Everything helps at this time.

"We lost my mum last year and they had been together over 60 years. From my work, I know it's hard for everybody but when someone does an act of kindness like Katy, it's just commendable. It's so lovely."

Katy said her gesture had followed the disappointment of the cancellation of Pinks' Mothers' Day event.

She said: "We were building up to Mother’s Day and we’ve always wanted a big celebration and obviously it didn’t happen. We were devastated really because we tried so hard.

"I’d made loads of different gelato already and a hundred bunches of daffodils all ready to give out to mothers.

"I was a registered nurse before I became Mrs Whippy and I’m still in groups with all my nurse friends. The majority of them are living in hotels, staying away from their families to protect them.

"We asked people for nominations on social media and we were inundated. I went to the parlour and packaged up over 100 litres tubs of ice cream, all different flavours and, on Saturday, I gave random flavours to everyone who had been nominated.

"We’ve always wanted to be a business which is part of the community. It’s not about me and my business, it’s just about doing the right thing.

"We have a duty to spread some happiness throughout our community to the hardworking individuals putting their needs and families on the back burner in order to keep the country a float."

All 100 deliveries were left on the doorsteps and Katy stood two metres away 'to ensure to adhere to the government guidelines'.

Pinks also donated ice cream to local schools who are still open for key workers' children, including Felpham Community College, Edward Bryant, St Mary’s School and Nyewood Infants and Juniors.

In a feedback message, a teacher said to Katy: "We can't thank you enough for your generosity in these hard times."

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