Councillor Ian Brookfield, who was formerly a nurse for 20 years, has vowed to do a full shift as a delivery driver every week “for as long as it takes”.
He did his first stint taking parcels of essential supplies to the elderly and those with underlying health conditions yesterday (Thursday 2 April).
City of Wolverhampton Council is one of the first in the country to start distributing emergency supplies to those deemed at high risk from coronavirus. It has gained national media attention for converting a leisure centre into a giant distribution hub in just a few days.
Hundreds of parcels containing things like bread, pasta, tinned fruit and long life milk are being delivered to those in need each day thanks to a 24/7 operation.
Councillor Brookfield said: “I came down and saw all the folks here at our emergency food distribution hub and all the hard work they were doing setting it up. There are people in there who I normally see in the Civic Centre. You’ve got solicitors working in there, you’ve got librarians, people from leisure centres and people from across the council.
“They’ve all volunteered and I thought I’d put my money where my mouth is. Having worked as a nurse in the past, I want to do my bit and so that’s why I volunteered and I’ll be doing this every week for as long as it takes.
“Wolverhampton is a fantastic place, fantastically community minded, people always go out of their way to help each other and never more so than now.
“All over the city there are groups of people, neighbours, friends and family who are helping each other. I think that shines through – people I speak to can feel that.
“It is something we’ve always known, I am really proud of Wulfrunians today, tomorrow, next week and together we will get through this.”
