Gateshead Council celebrates Covid Community Champion with award presentation
Dunston resident, Christine Frazer, who was Gateshead's winner of the regional Covid Acts of Kindness Awards at the end of last year, has recently had her incredible achievement recognised by the Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Dot Burnett, and Alice Wiseman, Director of Public Health at Gateshead Council.
Throughout the periods of lockdown last year, Christine became the heart of her local community, taking the time to support those in need with anything from picking up and delivering shopping, prescriptions, and hobby supplies, to taking calls from those who felt lonely and just needed to chat. To help cheer everyone up, Christine also posted about her daily walks on social media, and was constantly offering ways to help others.
Because of this energy and commitment to supporting others and spreading positivity, which continue to this day, she was chosen as the winner of Gateshead's Covid Acts of Kindness Award, which were commissioned as part of the Beat Covid North East campaign.
Now Christine's accomplishment has been formally recognised by Gateshead Council.
Accompanied by proud members of her family, Christine was presented with her award by the Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Dot Burnett at Gateshead Council's Civic Centre.
Christine said
"It was a lovely surprise to be nominated in first place, but to win was really humbling. You obviously don't do it for recognition, but I could see the harmful impact Covid was having on so many of those in my community, and just felt I couldn't stand by and do nothing.
Simply acts of kindness can make such a difference, and truly hope it can become a legacy of Covid. We cannot merely be kind for a finite amount of time. Hopefully we've now seen the back of lockdowns, but we all need kindness to live. Let's use this award to 'kick start kindness' for generations to come across the North East."
Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Dot Burnett said:
"I was so inspired by Christine's selfless acts of kindness throughout the pandemic. Whether it be health concerns, money worries, mobility, or loneliness, Covid has often hit the most vulnerable people in our communities the hardest, and to hear how Christine rallied round to offer inclusive support is incredibly heart-warming. It just goes to show that we can all make a difference.
"I was delighted to meet Christine and her wonderful family, and it was an honour to present her with her award. People like her are the unsung heroes of the pandemic, doing all they can to help those in need, and this award goes some way to expressing our gratitude for everything they do."
Alice Wiseman, Director of Public Health at Gateshead Council added:
"Christine is a very worthy winner of Gateshead's Covid Community Champion award, and I'm so pleased we've been able to officially recognise her dedication to the wellbeing of others.
"It is a remarkable achievement, and one that brings into sharp focus the difference all of us can make. There were many others who also supported their neighbours, and I know the judges had a difficult time choosing the winner. I believe it was Christine's passion, commitment and dedication to others that really shone through. Wider residents continue to support each other and getting the booster vaccination is the single most significant thing residents are doing to help protect the health and wellbeing of others. Over 147,000 residents have had at least one vaccination, with 137,000 having had two, and over 104,000 being boosted. All of these individuals need to be celebrated for the action they have taken to protect themselves and others - this is team Gateshead at its best! It is also important we take every opportunity for regular testing, particularly if you can't work from home or are regularly mixing with others socially. Should you return a positive test result please make sure you isolate according to current government guidance.
For the latest Covid advice and guidance visit our .
Dunston resident, Christine Frazer, who was Gateshead's winner of the regional Covid Acts of Kindness Awards at the end of last year, has recently had her incredible achievement recognised by the Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Dot Burnett, and Alice Wiseman, Director of Public Health at Gateshead Council.
Throughout the periods of lockdown last year, Christine became the heart of her local community, taking the time to support those in need with anything from picking up and delivering shopping, prescriptions, and hobby supplies, to taking calls from those who felt lonely and just needed to chat. To help cheer everyone up, Christine also posted about her daily walks on social media, and was constantly offering ways to help others.
Because of this energy and commitment to supporting others and spreading positivity, which continue to this day, she was chosen as the winner of Gateshead's Covid Acts of Kindness Award, which were commissioned as part of the Beat Covid North East campaign.
Now Christine's accomplishment has been formally recognised by Gateshead Council.
Accompanied by proud members of her family, Christine was presented with her award by the Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Dot Burnett at Gateshead Council's Civic Centre.
Christine said
"It was a lovely surprise to be nominated in first place, but to win was really humbling. You obviously don't do it for recognition, but I could see the harmful impact Covid was having on so many of those in my community, and just felt I couldn't stand by and do nothing.
Simply acts of kindness can make such a difference, and truly hope it can become a legacy of Covid. We cannot merely be kind for a finite amount of time. Hopefully we've now seen the back of lockdowns, but we all need kindness to live. Let's use this award to 'kick start kindness' for generations to come across the North East."
Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Dot Burnett said:
"I was so inspired by Christine's selfless acts of kindness throughout the pandemic. Whether it be health concerns, money worries, mobility, or loneliness, Covid has often hit the most vulnerable people in our communities the hardest, and to hear how Christine rallied round to offer inclusive support is incredibly heart-warming. It just goes to show that we can all make a difference.
"I was delighted to meet Christine and her wonderful family, and it was an honour to present her with her award. People like her are the unsung heroes of the pandemic, doing all they can to help those in need, and this award goes some way to expressing our gratitude for everything they do."
Alice Wiseman, Director of Public Health at Gateshead Council added:
"Christine is a very worthy winner of Gateshead's Covid Community Champion award, and I'm so pleased we've been able to officially recognise her dedication to the wellbeing of others.
"It is a remarkable achievement, and one that brings into sharp focus the difference all of us can make. There were many others who also supported their neighbours, and I know the judges had a difficult time choosing the winner. I believe it was Christine's passion, commitment and dedication to others that really shone through. Wider residents continue to support each other and getting the booster vaccination is the single most significant thing residents are doing to help protect the health and wellbeing of others. Over 147,000 residents have had at least one vaccination, with 137,000 having had two, and over 104,000 being boosted. All of these individuals need to be celebrated for the action they have taken to protect themselves and others - this is team Gateshead at its best! It is also important we take every opportunity for regular testing, particularly if you can't work from home or are regularly mixing with others socially. Should you return a positive test result please make sure you isolate according to current government guidance.
For the latest Covid advice and guidance visit our .
