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Unsung heroes were going about their daily duties at home and work when a big surprise landed at their doors.
The ten “amazing” individuals had been nominated by friends, family and colleagues as Covid heroes for their outstanding efforts during the pandemic.
They have all won a Christmas party at new Nottingham city centre restaurant and bar Gusto Italian, which opens on December 6.
READ MORE: Discover the latest places to eat out in Nottingham
When the restaurant team invited residents to nominate extraordinary people it was inundated with nominations.
Worthy winners include the staff at the adult intensive care unit at the Queen’s Medical Centre and the specialist support team at cancer charity Maggie’s.
Prizes were also given to Sharon Briggs, a care home manager who denied herself time with her elderly mother and pregnant daughter in order to care for residents.
Lucy Rowe went above and beyond her role as a teacher to provide socially-distanced home visits and free resources to her students, as well as making visors and masks for local hospitals and care homes.
Tina Simpson, another of the winners, works at the St George’s Centre in Netherfield.
She volunteered tirelessly throughout all three national lockdowns to support the centre, cooking hundreds of meals and spending countless hours raising money for the centre.
After a visit from Sir Captain Tom Moore’s daughter to thank her for her hard work, the Gusto Italian team arrived at the centre to surprise her with her prize – plus a bottle of fizz labelled “Nottingham’s Covid Hero”.
Tina said: “It was an absolute pleasure to receive such an amazing gift in recognition of the work we do here at the St George’s Centre.
“To be nominated is just so awesome and I am still on a high. The staff are all elated and are so grateful too.”
Royal Mail worker Steven Bosworth, another of the deserving winners, was nominated for not only working around the clock to deliver post during the service’s busiest time, but also for supporting his parents, both taken ill with Covid, with his father also battling cancer.
Steven’s admirable determination, selflessness, and kindness throughout the pandemic inspired the Gusto Italian team to select him as a winner.
He said: “I was so humbled to discover I had been nominated for this award.
“I think it is fantastic how people pulled together during the pandemic – communities, colleagues, families and friends all looking out for one another while key workers kept the country moving and the fantastic NHS took care of people who contracted Covid. Just a small gesture of kindness or offer of help can go such a long way”
Gusto Italian will be opening on the corner of Upper Parliament Street and King Street.
Chief exec Matt Snell said: “Throughout the pandemic, we witnessed truly remarkable acts of courage and kindness from all walks of life.
“It’s wonderful that we’re now in the position to open a new restaurant but we can’t forget that it’s the incredible compassion and hard work of individuals that led us through the pandemic to get to this point.
“We absolutely cannot wait to welcome these worthy winners through our doors and treat them to the Christmas party they deserve after all their amazing work.”
The restaurant’s transformation is nearing completion in the former home of Frankie & Benny’s. Prominent features will include an open kitchen, a cocktail, coffee and cannoli bar and a chef’s-table-style pizza experience.
Eighty new jobs have been created.
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