CARNFORTH has taken lockdown in its stride as its community Covid group prepares for a third lockdown, and the town readies to highlight the individual efforts that kept the community safe.

The Westmorland Gazette: PRAISED: Town praised for efforts during Covid lockdownPRAISED: Town praised for efforts during Covid lockdown

The Council will hold a virtual ceremony for its 90 nominees for its Citizen of Merit Award.

Between April and June, the Council requested nominations for all those people who had gone that ‘extra mile’ to help others during the first lockdown due to COVID 19.

Commenting on the community’s effort and the planned virtual event, Councillor Kath Bromilow, Town Mayor said: “Our Citizen of Merit Award winners are not just volunteers from the group; they came from every aspect of our local community and covered all ages – the youngest just 10 years old at the time.

The Westmorland Gazette: SMILES: Liam Law braving the snow to reach each house SMILES: Liam Law braving the snow to reach each house  

"From very early on in the pandemic our local community has gone above and beyond to provide support and advice to our vulnerable residents.

“Within days of the first lockdown, on March 23, the Carnforth Covid 19 Isolation Support Group was launched by Liam Law and Andrea Wren, two of our residents.

The Westmorland Gazette: SUPPORT: Covid Support group for Carnforth continues to strive in third lockdownSUPPORT: Covid Support group for Carnforth continues to strive in third lockdown

“The Town Council soon backed them by leafleting over 3,000 properties, making the public aware of the services and assistance available, including shopping, dog-walking, food bank drop-offs, collections of prescriptions, advice, information and business support or just a friendly voice on the other end of the phone.”

The local Community Support Group, headed by Liam, has continued its organising and support network as lockdown continues for a third time.

The Westmorland Gazette: AWARDED: The town was recently awarded a Covid19 Certificate of Recognitionfrom the High Sheriff of LancashireAWARDED: The town was recently awarded a Covid19 Certificate of Recognitionfrom the High Sheriff of Lancashire

He said: “Myself and my volunteers are all here waiting to do your shopping, prescription pickups, dog walking, telephone calls if you’re feeling lonely or would like advice.

“We have 23 volunteers who all have different strengths to help our community get through this.”

The group has tried to reach every resident in Carnforth by delivering a leaflet to every home.