1st Anniversary 'Thank you' to Volunteers at the Haddenham Vaccination Clinic
The Haddenham Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic opened its doors at JMW Vicary Pharmacy on 5th March 2021. No-one could have imagined that the programme would still be active and serving the community 12 months later. Since it started, around 100 local volunteers have been involved in supporting the programme, which has administered an astonishing 33,000 vaccinations in Haddenham.
Volunteers Co-ordinator, Martin Andrew, wanted to celebrate the achievements of the last year and to thank all those involved by holding an Afternoon Tea on the 5th March, the Anniversary of the very first shift.
In addition to an array of cakes and savouries baked by many of the volunteers, the owners of Haddenham Pharmacy, Yogesh and Neepa Patel kindly provided delicious fresh-cooked Indian street food.
Lynne Hobbs and Francesca Flaxton helped Martin to organise the event, securing a free venue – (our grateful thanks to Haddenham Scout and Guide Association), co-ordinating food and inviting MP for Buckingham, Greg Smith to attend. Mr Smith presented Martin with a House of Commons framed Letter of Appreciation, which he accepted on behalf of all the volunteers. Martin had also prepared personalised Certificates to thank each volunteer present at the celebration.
Martin said "Although we had a good turnout of volunteers and staff from Haddenham Pharmacy, it was a pity that life got in the way of many and prevented them from coming. Some were away, others are in self-isolation awaiting operations or those for their partners and a few are still not comfortable coming to a venue with lots of people and I quite understand that. For me it was good to see volunteers who I had only ever seen as eyes above a mask!"
"I offer every volunteer my heartfelt thanks for all you have done to support the pharmacy's vaccination programme. Furthermore, I had no idea how many jabs the vaccinators had done: I thought about 6,500... boy, was I wrong! I was astonished when local Vaccinator, Joe Kearney informed me they had administered over 33,000 jabs!
And as Yogesh told me, this figure could never have been achieved without our trusty corps of volunteers. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart".
The programme may step up a few gears by the end of March, so you may be seeing more hi-viz clad volunteers back on shifts at Haddenham Pharmacy....watch this space!
Pictured are:
1. Some of the volunteers and staff from Haddenham Pharmacy
2. Framed Letter of Appreciation being presented to Martin Andrew by Greg Smith MP, with Greg's son
3. Martin Andrew with Letter of Appreciation
