Broadland: Father and daughter nominated as COVID-19 Community Heroes

The special scheme, run by Broadland District Council, was set up to recognise outstanding individuals who have played a vital role in supporting the local community during the COVID-19 crisis.

Cabinet member, Councillor Fran Whymark said:

“I am so proud of how the local community had pulled together at this difficult time.

“We set up this scheme because we wanted to give recognition to those who had done so much good and are still helping other people across Broadland who may still be struggling now. The many volunteers who gave their time freely are the unsung heroes of our community.”

Tim Kett and his daughter Hollie set up the Thorpe End Community Pantry Project website to pull together a team of volunteers to help support the elderly and vulnerable members of their local community.

The Pantry Project provided a wide range of services from collecting and distributing medicines, food and other essentials to sharing information on topics such as which local shops were able to offer deliveries.

The website shared ideas on things to do within social distancing rules and how to use technology to keep in touch with friends, family and neighbours. Hollie also walked the vicar’s dog when he had to shield during lockdown.

Mr Kett said he was surprised and honoured to have been put forward as a community hero.

He said:

“ It’s hard to believe that the work Hollie and myself did to get shopping and prescriptions and just do the little things to keep people occupied and entertained in our small community has been so well received and appreciated.

“We quickly set up a website with information on who were, what we were doing and why and provided information on local businesses which could deliver or could be collected from, insights into what was happening in the village and sharing pictures on the site and the village Facebook page."

Among the photos shared on the village website were images of the fairy houses made by local people. More than a hundred are on show across the village.