The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted our lives in ways that we have not seen for generations. We find ourselves unable to do the simple things that brought us joy only a few weeks ago, such as visiting our loved ones, going shopping or sitting in the beer garden with friends on a sunny day.
It is true that in times of crisis we often see people at their best, and Wrexham residents are no exception. We have seen heart-warming gestures throughout our town as communities come together in a moving display of gratitude by clapping for our carers, residents’ resourcefulness in making PPE through 3D printing, and providing support to the vulnerable and those encountering difficulties.
Wrexham’s businesses are also working hard to play a vital role to support our communities through this difficult time.
Samantha Knight, a ward clerk on the Paediatric Department at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, contacted me with a predicament. A few days prior her car had broken down following a 12-hour shift at the hospital, covering staff sicknesses.
The recovery company was unable to fix Samantha’s car at the roadside and delivered it to the Volkswagen Garage in Rhosddu. However, the garage was preparing for lockdown the next day.
Samantha said:
“My car broke down the evening before the lockdown, this meant I was without a car. My sister was preparing to come home from Cambodia, but a silver lining meant I could borrow her car. When my sister, a paramedic, eventually came home she needed her car to get to work.”
Unable to get to work, Samantha contacted me seeking help. I eventually made contact with Mr Jonathan Blake, the Volkswagen Garage Aftersales Manager in Rhosddu. Eager to help and show his support to our key workers, Jonathan offered Samantha use of a loan car, free of charge, until such a time as her car could be fixed.
Jonathan said:
“The customer’s car had been toed here by a recovery company on the day we were preparing for a 3-week lockdown, it now appears the lockdown may go on for longer. When Sarah contacted me explaining the situation, I was more than happy to help. We all need to pull together to help our key workers during this time, and I’m glad Volkswagen Wrexham could come to her assistance.”
Samantha said:
“Thanks to my local MP and the Aftersales Manager at Volkswagen, who reopened to sort me out with a courtesy car, both me and my sister were able to get back to work at the children’s ward at Wrexham Maelor and my sister back as a paramedic. I can’t thank them enough”
Jonathan is not alone in his act of kindness, many other businesses are doing all that they can to support our key workers throughout this difficult time, whether it is sourcing PPE equipment, providing childcare or the introduction of NHS shopping hours at our supermarkets.
We all have a role to play during this crisis, whether that’s volunteering to help deliver supplies to our vulnerable, going to work, or simply staying at home to help slow and prevent the spread of coronavirus. Together we will beat coronavirus and we will look back and remember this as a time of great community spirit, where we looked out for one another in a battle against this invisible killer.
If I can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me:
Email: Sarah.atherton.mp@parliament.uk
Telephone: 020 7217 4885 | 01978 291742