Wigan plumber pens poem in tribute to front line workers

A Wigan plumber turned poet has been moved to put pen to paper and create a verse tribute to front-line workers and those living under lockdown.

Chris Docherty, from Hindley, was suddenly inspired to create the poem summing up his thoughts about the coronavirus outbreak and the changes which have been made in our everyday lives.

The current situation is particularly personal to him as his partner Sheryl Blundell works in the respiratory ward at the Royal Bolton Hospital, which has now been turned over entirely to treating Covid-19 patients.

The poem also pleads with the public to follow the Government’s advice and the new laws about social distancing and only going out of the house for essential journeys.

Chris, 29, said: “I’ve always enjoyed doing poetry but not really taken it that seriously. I was sitting in the back garden on Wednesday and just thought about writing a poem.

“Sheryl’s ward at work is full of people who have tested positive and the poem is just about the love and respect we need to show for the NHS and each other. People need to listen to the rules and guidelines.

“It’s a worrying time. Sheryl’s coming home every night when there are people dying and yet I hear about people still not listening. It’s not heping. It’s really hard for everyone at the hospitals. It’s hard for everybody, but especially for the nurses.”

Here is Chris’s poem:

Stay safe for our race

Pray for the lesser placed

Speak grace no hate

Speak daily with your mate

Rules are rules don’t break them

As hard as it is don’t hate them

Better times are coming forth

Sacrifice pleasure for our country’s growth

For the many on the front line

Risking lifes to save mine

Without you we won’t recover

The nation’s caring mother

Every day is heartache

Every day you worry

You help to help our hearts sake

You do it in a hurry

The NHS our army battling away

Each shift a war a war every day

When all is said and done

The war will only be won

If we listen to advice

To help save lives

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