Heartfelt ‘thank you’ for everyone in Worthing who have helped others during pandemic

Teachers, shop staff, health workers, bus drivers, delivery drivers and the borough’s many, many volunteers were among those praised during a meeting of the full council on Tuesday (December 15).

A motion proposed by Bob Smytherman (Lib Dem, Tarring) read: “This council wishes to place on record our profound gratitude and admiration to the people of Worthing for their dedication to the safety of our community and for the unstinting work and bravery of all local frontline workers throughout the profound challenges of 2020.

“They have been a lifeline to many and an inspiration to us all, showing Worthing at its finest. We thank you all.”

Martin McCabe (Lib Dem, Tarring) agreed, adding: “They say in a crisis you should always look for the helpers and hasn’t Worthing just stepped up to the plate on that front.”

Among the volunteers have been the team at the Turning Tides homelessness charity, which in turn has received a helping hand from a local artist.

Mayor Lionel Harman applauded the efforts of Phil Heckels, 38 – also known as Hercule van Wolfwinkle – whose ‘rubbish’ drawings of people’s pets have raised more than £38,500 for the charity

Mr Harman also highlighted the borough’s pandemic infection rate, which has been consistently low.

Praising the borough’s ‘fortitude and resillience’, he said: “By working together, Worthing is in the great position of having one of the lowest Covid rates in the country.

“Now that the vaccines are coming on line, let’s ensure that by working together we continue to be vigilant and keep this awful virus at bay a while longer until we’ve all had our jabs – and then make sure that 2021 is a great year that we can all look forward to.”