Vernon Kay has spent the day volunteering at a brand new mass COVID-19 vaccination centre in his hometown of Bolton.
The TV presenter and recent I’m A Celebrity star assumed the role of a marshal at the Hootons Pharmacy site at Bolton Wanderers’ home stadium for the day last week, helping some of the borough’s most vulnerable residents get their jabs by taking the temperature of those arriving, and directing them to where they should be.
Hootons Pharmacy – part of the Whittle Pharmacies group and based in Horwich, Bolton – is one of several pharmacy-operated sites in Greater Manchester.
It is currently vaccinating the over 70s by appointment only via the national booking system.
Vernon has described his volunteering stint – which was part of The Sun newspaper’s Jab’s Army volunteering campaign – as “an amazing experience”, and has taken to social media to encourage others to get involved.
ADVERTISEMENT
He told Good Morning Britain: “The experience as a whole was really, really special.
“It was amazing watching all these people arrive, having dealt with three lockdowns, the moment they left after having their vaccination you could tell that there was light at the end of the tunnel for them [and] they felt like a weight had been lifted of their shoulders”.
Dr Helen Wall – Senior Responsible Officer for the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Bolton, and Clinical Director of Commissioning at Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group – said: “It really doesn’t matter who or where you are, meeting a fellow Boltonian is like catching up with family.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Vernon took to volunteering like a duck to water.
“He had all the trademarks of a great volunteer – empathy, humour, compassion, and a genuine interest in the programme.”
Vernon added: “Helen has done a phenomenal job of rolling out the vaccine in the Bolton area.
ADVERTISEMENT
“What I learnt was in these vaccination centres in Bolton, it’s 55% medical staff and 45% volunteers [and] the volunteers I spent time with were loving the fact that they were helping out and doing something to get the vaccine out.”
He also emphasises that “if you are willing to volunteer then please do, it will really cheer you up knowing that you helped others”.
You can find more information about volunteering in Greater Manchester here.
___
For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
#StayHome
Trending
McDonald’s announces 2024 Christmas menu with new Cheesy McCrispy, Terry’s Chocolate Orange Pie, and more
Emily Sergeant
McDonald’s has unveiled its Christmas menu for 2024, and there’s lots of festive feasting to get stuck into.
It’s been a long time coming, but after several chains and fast food joints have already announced and launched their festive food and drink offerings for 2024 over the last few weeks, McDonald’s has finally joined the Christmas party, and there’s a bunch of new and returning fan favourites on the lineup to get those mouths watering.
We’re talking Cheese Melt Dippers, seasonal McFlurrys, limited-edition festive pies, and a cheesy twist on one of the chain’s most popular burgers.
New to the menu this year is the Cheesy McCrispy, which is a “levelled up” version of the McCripsy we all know and love, taking the classic crispy chicken fillet and all the trimmings, and combining it with two slices of cheese, and lashings of rich cheese sauce.
McDonald’s has unveiled is Christmas menu for 2024 / Credit: McDonalds UK
Other burgers on the lineup are the grand return of the Big Tasty and Big Tasty with Bacon, both made with a 100% beef patty, Emmental cheese, onions, juicy tomatoes, and topped off with a unique smoky-flavoured sauce nested in a freshly-toasted bun.
Also being thrown back into the mix this year are the Cheese Melt Dippers, which are the perfect festive feast accompaniment made with camembert and served with a rich tomato dip.
Happy Meals will also be taking on a special Grinch theme this year too.
Got yourself a bit of sweet tooth though? There’s two new tasty treats to choose from this year, alongside the return of the beloved Galaxy Caramel McFlurry.
There’s a bunch of new and returning fan favourites on the lineup / Credit: Visual Karsa (via Unsplash)
If Galaxy Caramel isn’t your thing, then perhaps chocolate orange will be instead, as 2024 brings the introduction of the Terry’s Chocolate Orange McFlurry, with Terry’s Chocolate Orange mini segments and chocolate orange sauce swirled into the ice cream, and then there’s the Terry’s Chocolate Orange Pie.
This year, McDonald’s has combined its classic pie with everyone’s favourite zesty chocolate to create a crispy chocolate pastry filled with a Terry’s Chocolate Orange-flavoured ganache.
On the hot drinks front, you have a Galaxy Caramel Latte and a Galaxy Caramel Hot Chocolate to choose from.
The full McDonald’s 2024 Festive Menu will be available to tuck into from 20 November, and is expected to stick around until the new year.
Featured Image – McDonald’s UK
Trending
Asda relaunches over 60s ‘winter warmer’ cafe deal with soup and unlimited hot drinks for £1
Emily Sergeant
Asda is bringing back its popular £1 ‘winter warmer’ cafe meal deal to support the over 60s during the colder months.
After it was sadly revealed that almost one in five elderly people claimed there were days when they didn’t speak to a single soul last Christmas, and that during the run up to the big day, 15% said they got used to not conversing with other people, Asda has decided to relaunch one of its most widely-praised cafe meal deals again this year.
To support those who need it most as the temperatures drop, the supermarket is, once again, offering all over 60s the chance to enjoy some hearty soup, a bread roll, and unlimited tea and coffees for just £1 in any of its cafes across the UK.
Back by popular demand, this year’s Winter Warmer initiative is bigger and better than ever, with three soup flavours to choose from.
With the offer now running until the end of 2024, Asda is aiming to transform its in store dining spaces into ‘Chatty Cafes’ – where senior citizens can come together under one roof, eat and drink, and make some new friends.
As well as its ‘Chatty Cafe’ offer, Asda colleagues will be also be donning ‘Happy to Chat’ badges throughout the festive season, checking in on older customers in store and when delivering home shopping orders, while the Asda Foundation will deliver £600k worth of grants to tackle loneliness amongst the elderly by boosting activities in the local communities, and funding Christmas celebrations.
Asda has relaunched its over 60s ‘winter warmer’ cafe deal with soup and unlimited hot drinks for £1 / Credit: Asda
“Christmas is a time to enjoy time with loved ones,” explained David Hills, who is the Chief Customer Officer at Asda, “and the fact one in 10 of our older generation is facing Christmas alone is genuinely sobering.
“That’s why we’re proud to invest almost £1 million through our in-store initiatives and grants to do what we can to tackle loneliness and isolation in the communities we serve.
“Our teams do incredible work to support communities all year round, and I’m so proud to be able to launch the Chatty Cafés initiative today, alongside our renowned Winter Warmers deal, which we know is a lifeline to many.”
Emily Sergeant -
9th February 2021 
