I have been going out and about across Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke, handing out ‘Our Unsung Heroes’ certificates to those nominated you nominated.
I am pleased to have the joined in this task with University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust Tracy Bullock and Matthew Ellis Police Fire Crime Commissioner - Staffordshire.
One of the many groups nominated was Scrubs for Stoke.
Their dedication has seen tens of thousands of scrubs and PPE created to support our health and care workers, as well as other local organisations who have needed it. They are one of many heroes who stood up and did their bit for Stoke-on-Trent, Kidsgrove and Talke during this global health crisis.
It was very useful to hear them talk about how red tape and the PFI, that is strangling better procurement at the Royal Stoke University Hospital, is something they have noticed needs changing.
The PFI debt is something Jack Brereton, Jo Gideon and I are all jointly working on to get paid off, freeing up to £20 million a year back fro the frontline at UHNM.
We also talked about the need to ensure people buy local to support our local businesses and community’s. I have called for all ceramic tableware in Whitehall to be procured from Stoke-on-Trent, to show that the government backs Stoke, the world leader in tableware.
I am proud of our community's response to this virus, and so many people’s selfless desire to help those in need.
Our Unsung Heroes, is a way for us all to recognise those in our part of the world who have gone above and beyond to help others