More roadsides across County Durham have been decorated with messages thanking key workers for keeping the county running during the coronavirus pandemic.
Durham County Council has already created two displays dedicated to NHS staff, in Bishop Auckland and Durham. And now its Clean and Green teams have been busy arranging more roadside tributes, this time for care staff.
Staff stayed two metres apart, following the government’s social distancing guidelines, to write out the word CARE in white chalk paint in prominent positions across the county. The most recent installations are in various locations in Bishop Auckland, Chester-le-Street, Consett, Stanley, Gilesgate, Seaham, Peterlee, Spennymoor, Newton Aycliffe and Ferryhill.
The team has also created a further display, outside Chester-le-Street Hospital, thanking the NHS.
Graeme Walton, one of the gardeners who helped to create the displays, said: “These are for all of the carers, to give them a boost.”
Graham Cozens, Clean and Green team leader, said: “We received such a great response to our first displays that we were keen to create some in other parts of the county. We’re planning to continue making more tributes in other towns and villages too.
“These new displays are dedicated not only to people doing fantastic work in traditional caring roles, such as those in care homes and social care workers, but also the army of amazing unpaid carers who look after family members, neighbours and friends.
“They also show our support for the whole range of essential key workers who are caring for their communities, from education and childcare staff, police, prison, fire and rescue staff, the people who are ensuring we receive our food and medicines, and the many others doing such a great job of keeping people safe and looked after, during this difficult time specifically, and throughout the year.”
