THE part played by more than 100 volunteers in delivering over 300,000 Covid vaccinations at the Pirelli Stadium has been recognised at a special celebration evening.
The event was organised by the East Staffordshire Primary Care Network in partnership with Burton Albion and Burton Albion Community Trust to thank all the people who had given up their time to make sure the vaccination centre was able operate so successfully.
The majority of the volunteers who have worked at the centre from its opening in December 2020 were able to attend and received a certificate and a pin badge from the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire Ian Dudson.
Also in attendance was Burton MP Kate Griffiths and, East Staffordshire Mayor Phillip Hudson and his consort Karen, and Burton Albion Community Trust Chairman John Jackson.
Burton Albion Chairman Ben Robinson attending in his role as High Sheriff of Staffordshire said: “When the first dose was administered at the Pirelli Stadium in December 2020, it was the start of an incredible pandemic response.
“Eighteen months later 300,000 vaccinations have been given and no doubt lives have been saved.
“None of that could have happened without the volunteers who put their hands up in the midst of a national emergency, without thought of the risks to themselves in order to help others through this crisis.
“Before anyone was vaccinated and before we knew very much about Covid, they were willing to volunteer, to give up their time to help the community and they have stuck with it and continued to make it a priority.”
Sarah Laing, Executive Lead for East Staffordshire Primary Care Network and Dr David Atherton Clinical Director of the Primary Care Network were also in attendance
Sarah said it was important to recognise the role played by volunteers.
She said: “It has been an incredible effort and without the sacrifice and commitment of the volunteers we would not be where we are today.
“That’s why we wanted to organise this celebration evening to put the volunteers in the spotlight.
“On behalf of the community we wanted to thank all of them and say how proud we are of everything they have done for the people of East Staffordshire.”
BACT Head of Community Matt Hancock said: “We were delighted that so many of the volunteers were able to attend and receive the recognition they deserve.
“Without them we wouldn’t have been able to win the EFL Community Project of the Year Award for the vaccination centre.
“And the impact they have made is also changing the way we operate across all of our programmes so there is a lasting legacy for the trust in the impact they have made.”