A HAMILTON teen has been going above and beyond for the local community, by helping to hand out boxes of supplies to hospital around Glasgow.
Dillon Harkins, 19, has been creating the boxes - full of supplies such as shower gels, chocolates and magazines - to hand out to NHS workers and patients on wards all while working full time at ASDA Hamilton.
Proud mum, Katrina Lower, nominated Dillon as one of Glasgow Times’s key worker heroes, saying: “It started when a nurse from the Royal Infirmary was asking if there was any shower gel that she could use.
“Dillon went and spent the money from his own pocket to make sure she had some shower gel, and ever since then he’s been making up boxes to hand out to all the hospitals.”
Dillon has since set up a network of shops that help supply to the boxes, as well as donation point in his work and an online donations page which allows customers and colleagues to donate.
Katrina, who works in home care for Glasgow City Council, said: “He just walked into a few shops and asked them if they’d like to help with the boxes.
“He’s done it off his own back, and he’s always been like that.
“I really couldn’t be prouder.”
Tony Crawford, 31 from Drumchapel, has been a pillar of the community during the lockdown, even going so far as to paint social distancing measure around the town to ensure residents can remain safe.
He was nominated by the team at G15 Mutual Aid Group, with member Claire McDonald saying: “Tony is one of those people who is constantly doing thing for other and never asks for anything in return.
“He helped set up the mutual aid group and coordinates it for Drumchapel, helping to get supplies to people that are shielding.
“It’s a horrible time for so many people, with a lot losing loved ones.
“To help, Tony set up social distancing markers in the street to allow people to watch funeral processions and say goodbye to loved ones safely.”
Tony is also the founder of Men Matter, a peer support network for men.
“He’s on zoom meeting to keep up with everyone and making sure everyone is doing ok, for people to have someone to talk to.
“It’s amazing the work he does, and he never wants recognition for it.”
Jamie Lee McGowan, 31 from Possilpark, is a student mental health nurse studying at University of the West Of Scotland.
Mum Diane McGowan nominated the student for all the hard work she has been doing as a healthcare assistant at Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.
Diane said: “I’m so proud of her.
“Jamie Lee always wanted to be a nurse and she stuck to it and now she’s just a year from becoming fully qualified.”
Jamie Lee lives with her partner, Davie, and daughter, Morgan, aged 11.
Diane said: “It’s really tough going for her.
“She’s up at 5am sometimes to get out to Paisley to start her shift, but she takes it all in her stride.
As a mental health nurse-in-training, Jamie Lee has been vocal about the need for support, especially during times like these.
“She is always saying that there needs to be more people to help with mental health issues, especially during lockdown when people might be feeling worse than normal.
“She is always saying about how mental health is just as important.
“One thing I’m looking forward to doing after this is just giving her a big massive hug.”
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