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.