Corrie legend Julie Hesmondhalgh has been volunteering at a local vaccine centre

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Corrie star Julie Hesmondhalgh has given up her time over Christmas to volunteer at a local Covid vaccine site, saying she wants to ‘kick this pandemic up the backside’.

The soapstar has been volunteering as a vaccine runner at the former British Gas site in Hattersley, Tameside.

In a video posted to Tameside Council’s Twitter page, Julie said she’s donated a ‘pathetic’ seven hours of her time.

She praised the NHS workers who are out working ‘in all weathers, all the time’.

Julie was part of the Coronation Street cast for almost two decades, playing Hayley Cropper.

Julie Hesmondhalgh as Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street. Credit: ITV

She made history by playing the first transgender character in a British soap opera, and won a National Television Awards before leaving the cobbles in 2014.

In her video from the temporary vaccine hub in Tameside, she said: “It’s been an absolutely brilliant day.

“I mean obviously there are people here, NHS workers, who are here in all weathers, all the time.

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“Pouring rain, freezing cold, and here I am just like getting all the glory for doing my pathetic seven hours.

“I really wanted just to add my support and just to help out a little bit and feel like I’m doing something in these really really challenging times.

“Let’s try and kick this pandemic up the backside so that we can all have a safer, happier 2022.”

That particular vaccine centre reopens for first and second doses of the coronavirus vaccine, plus booster jabs and flu jabs, on December 29.

There are dozens of other walk-in centres across Greater Manchester.

You can find one near you at nhs.uk.

Featured image: Twitter @juliehes