Liverpool’s pandemic heroes to be honoured at special thank you event

People involved in Liverpool’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic will be honoured at a civic thank you event at the Town Hall on Wednesday 13 October.

Around 100 guests will be at the ceremony, from hospital staff and care home workers, through to those who delivered food parcels and took to the streets to give out vital public health information, together with individuals in shaping and leading the city’s strategic response.

Those present will also receive a copy of a limited edition book produced by Liverpool City Council documenting the pandemic –Liverpool’s Covid Journey.

The publication uses powerful images to document key moments since March 2020 – from the start of lockdown, to the vaccine roll-out and the gradual reopening of society, including the pioneering role Liverpool played in the national response to the pandemic by piloting city-wide Covid testing and large scale events.

Liverpool’s Covid Journey also showcases individuals and organisations who helped keep people’s spirits up during the darkest days of the pandemic, such as young resident Fox Capper who wrote a thank you note on his bin to support refuse staff working through the lockdown, and Park Palace Ponies who took their small horses to visit residents in the Welsh Streets.

The Faculty of Public Health – which represents almost 4,000 public health professionals in the UK and around the world – will also be presenting a medal to the Director of Public Health Matt Ashton, in recognition of the work of the council’s Public Health team’s response to the pandemic.

The ceremony will be livestreamed on Liverpool City Council’s social media channels from 5pm.

Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Mary Rasmussen, said:

“It is often said that people come together to support each other at times of crisis, and we saw exactly that in our city during the pandemic when the very best of the human spirit was on proud display.

“We wanted not just to thank organisations but also those individuals who went above and beyond, whether it was providing care and support to others, helping with the Covid-19 response or just helping lift the city’s mood during what was a very difficult time for everyone.

“I know this is a just a small snapshot of the incredible response from communities right across Liverpool, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who played their part – however big or small  – in getting us through the pandemic.” 

Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson, said:

“The generous and caring nature of Scousers is famous around the world and it has definitely shone through over the last 18 months.

“I have been blown away by the amazing work that I have seen – both before and since I became Mayor – and it makes me incredibly proud and humbled to lead this city.

“While the effect of the pandemic will still be felt for many years to come and we are not completely out of the woods yet, it is very important that we take a moment to thank some of those who have helped us through the most difficult days for our city in generations.”