Meet some of South Tyneside's Lockdown Heroes as Gazette readers shine a light on hard work

As Lockdown 3 began in England, we launched a search for the borough’s lockdown heroes – the people whose hard work and selflessness you wanted to shine a light on during a tough time.

We received dozens of nominations through the Shields Gazette Facebook page and were inspired to hear your stories.

Here are some of your nominations:

Lynette Harvey: “Angie Comerford is one of the most selfless people I know. What she and Hebburn helps do to help the homeless and the needy is second to none.”

Rhea Hopkinson-Ward: “Ashleigh Keenan who has donated to food banks, sent Christmas cards to lonely residents at Haven Court at Christmas, worked in education to support students, looked after her mum and nan who had to shield and dropped food parcels at her friends’ doorsteps who worked in the NHS and were too busy to cook.”

Kathleen Ann Odonnell: “Gillian Gill and Lianne Wanless Redhead, North East Donations, who have helped the local community throughout all lockdowns. Alongside balancing work and family commitments.”

Catherine Elizabeth Futers: “I'd like to nominate Tracy Beaton and Jackie Mountain of Bede's Helping Hands Food Bank. Despite being incredibly ill over Christmas, Tracy has still made sure all those needing food packages have recieved them. Jackie has been amazing at organising the volunteers to make sure we were kept safe and distanced while in our old spot and organised everyone so we could move to our new premises.”

Related: These are 57 photos of South Tyneside's health heroes - as nominated by you

Zana Louise Martin: “My hero is my best friend Karen Doran Cameron and her daughter Jessica. Karen has worked on the frontline right through all three lockdowns. Karen and her husband Marc both contracted the virus in November. Her husband was really poorly and ill in bed for weeks, Karen was also really poorly, living on the settee entertaining her daughter, who has Down’s syndrome, and her son. They all pulled together and managed to get through it.”

Emma Hamed: “I would love to nominate this beautiful lady Rebecca Walsh. She works so hard on night shift and still goes home and does running challenges to raise money for Cancer Research UK as well as being a huge part of the committee for Relay for Life. She is one of the nicest lasses I’ve ever met, she’s my little hero.”

Kerry Moore: “My three amazing kids, having to go through this third lockdown and how well they have taken to it. It was so hard the first lockdown losing so much and dealing with it all so well. My two boys Tommy-Lee and Lennon have been amazing with their little sister Keira, who's 4. Couldn’t be any more proud.”

Darren Johnson: “I nominate Tracy Curren and the staff at Jarrow Co-op Funeralcare for the dedication throughout this pandemic since March working right through it, dealing with all the difficulties. They deserve some recognition, definitely heroes through all of this.”

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