We Are Wigan: celebrating our town, people and spirit

Scott Parkinson: Speedy Beers - Wigan have helped myself and Mrs P throughout this pandemic

Margaret Close: Our lovely friends and neighbours Alan and Madge, they never go shopping unless they have asked what we want, taken our bins in, cleared the snow from our car, took us for our inoculations, nothing is too much trouble,always tell us if we need them they are there; Alan is over 70 himself and has had his problems thank you sò much

Lora Marsden: My partner Keith has helped me hugely through this. He sadly lost his job due to covid related cuts in May and is yet to find a job. He has helped me a huge amount as I’m a secondary school teacher juggling rota work in school and home learning and live lessons at home. I also deal with chronic medical conditions and pain management can be really tough, on top of me greatly missing family and friends as we now have virtually no contact with anyone. No matter how down I am or how tough the day is he is kind, patient and supportive. He’s also keeping on top of housework and other responsibilities so that I can focus on preparing the best online lessons and resources for the children I teach.

Kelly Atherton: Kieran Jones has been helping people who are struggling with mental before and during the pandemic he’s always there for any who needs help and support; he’s a mental health first aider and ambassador and peer support worker he speaks to people in crisis he’s done all this with very little help or funding he’s done charity events for Mind; he wants to change the way people view mental health and end the stigma I think he deserves to be recognised for all his continued hard work

Janet Thompson: My daughter’s best friend Helen Jones from Platt Bridge; she’ll do any thing for everybody but she does a lot for me; I can’t go out and she’s like done of my own daughters

Heather Keefe: I want to make a special mention of Fran Halliwell who created a post box for little children to deliver letters to Father Christmas. She also replied to all the letters and posted them all a card, absolutely selfless to bring joy to children who have coped amazing with all the changes she is a thoughtful member of the Hawkley community

Jennifer Newton: Kathleen Marsh and the One House in Aspull they are a community group that make mask, sell them and put the money back in to the communit; they are a fabulous group

Samantha Yates: Taz Mahal was giving free takeaways to Wigan infirmary for all the doctors and nurses; He’s always helping out he owns the Indian takeaway in platt Bridge

Andy Hutchison: The staff at each and everyone of the Greggs I’ve visited for breakfast.

Nina Hardbarker: I would like to mention Westfield community primary school, my son attends the school now in year three and absolutely loves the school and his teachers. My son has additional needs and is struggling with the pandemic and the home schooling as he just wants to be in school. The teachers and the support staff are only ever a message on the app away and even message out of hours to help me with ways and ideas and extra support for my son, they also always put a good comment on his work to big him up and help me. They have always helped and support both me and my wife with our sons needs and him himself. What amazing school and what an amazing support they have been through this pandemic, trying their hardest to keep our children safe when in school and supporting them as much as possible when they are not. Absolutely amazing.

Sandy Monaghan: My friend Trisha O’Donnell that is always willing to go the extra mile to help other people at any time she is amazing

Kerrie Breheny: I applaud Bargain Booze I don’t know how I would’ve got through last year without you

Darren Panthro Lewis: Jimmy O’Neill has helped me and many others through lockdown, with his nightly vid chats

Megan GH: The kids I taught helped me - helped my mental health getting out the house. Made the best of a bad situation

Tracy Sharrock: I’d like to say a big thank you to Icky our local shopkeeper. He has gone above and beyond to help his customers getting them what they need so they didnt have to que at the supermarkets and NOT putting his prices up like most corner shops. So thankyou Icky Beg

Stuart Hodson: Mark Scott-davies Chris Pitcher

Paul Johnson: My girlfriend who helps supply the shops with food.

Yvonne Kearsley Manning-Quinn: Optical assistants

Chellsi McGarry: Nursery Workers

Phillip Cunliffe: John Ryding and Paula Wilkie have kept me entertained for months and for that I must thank them.

Teresa Brompton: I’ve been helping my elderly neighbour and she keeps a smile on my face through all of this pandemic I’ve been helping her in her flat doing her shopping for her sorting out her tv when she has problems with it etc.

Jenna Leanne Sheehan: I would like to nominate not just one person but a whole team of people who work at Belong Wigan who have been truly amazing from the cares who kept the residents save and cared for them and wiped the tears when family members couldn’t and the housekeeping team who kept the place spotless to keep the horrible virus at bay the reception team what keep things ticking over the nurses who look after the sick residents and make sure there medication is all right and handy man who keeps things working and the kitchen staff who cooks for all the residents and apartment tenants who couldn’t leave the homes and the experiences people who entertain the residents when the boardness and loneliness sets in and the management who make sure all the both is working great and that we are safe and well and that family members are happy and assuring them that everything is OK so you see its not just one person who gets you through a pandemic its having a brilliant team and friends who all help and can be the through the hard time and at belong we’re all champions and warriors even the residents who never fail to make you smile when you feel like giving up

Michaela Smith: My mum, Anita Smith, she has help me a lot through Covid 19 as to losing my job and struggling to pay my bills at home, she goes out her way to buy me a food shop and lots more, she’s always here for me and making sure I’m okay. She is the best mum anyone could wish for! She has four kids of her own she helps out as well as two foster kids she loves and cares for, she has a wonderful heart and i would like to share with everyone what a wonderful caring mum I have and I wouldn’t know what to do with out her! I love you so much mum

Samantha Howarth: I would like to nominate Johnathon Sands who runs childrens sports classes in Atherton, not only helped me remain positive but helped so many others too. All through lockdown he did so many acts of goodwill, from free online sports sessions for children and families to delivering food packages to others in Atherton. A true inspiration.

Carmel Fletcher: My fab mum and dad - they have kept me balanced throughout! A girl always needs their parents even if she is 45!

Michelle Hudson: My work bubble colleagues Marjorie Fryer and Cheryl Smith who are now nicknamed my covid sisters. Working in a GP practice has been tough but now working 12 hour shifts at the covid vaccine clinic. These ladies have got me through the past 11 months

Mike Farrimond: My dog helped me.

Fiona Verron: My lovely cat

Laura Hampson: My parents for being my childcare bubble throughout to allow me and my husband to go to work .. been amazin

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