Love West Norfolk? Let’s Thank West Norfolk

After the success of the Love West Norfolk Heroes scheme - which saw some 60 individuals, teams, and organisations recognised - and as times remain difficult, this year’s Love West Norfolk day will be devoted to thanking those who are making a difference.

James Bagge, Love West Norfolk’s Ambassador explained: “Over the last year the Love West Norfolk Heroes campaign has revealed to us all the many acts of kindness, generosity, and selflessness performed by so many across west Norfolk.

“Many have shown themselves keen to get public recognition for friends, family, neighbours, organisations, and businesses who have made this harrowing time a little bit easier for us all. This Love West Norfolk Day presents us with an opportunity collectively and loudly to celebrate this enduring and special community spirit–and say: ‘thanks west Norfolk.’”

There are a number of easy ways for people to get involved in this west Norfolk moment of thanks:

• Say thanks online: on Love West Norfolk Day, 14 February, share who you’re thanking in west Norfolk and why on social media, using the hashtags #lovewestnorfolk and / or #thankswestnorfolk. The Love West Norfolk campaign organisers will be sharing your posts throughout the day.
• Send in your thanks: tell Love West Norfolk who you want to thank and why via the contact form on their website www.lovewestnorfolk.co.uk Fifty messages of thanks will be displayed on a virtual ‘wall’ on the Love West Norfolk website, and they will also be shared on social media on 14 February.
• Download and send a Love West Norfolk thank you card: Love West Norfolk will be making available some Love West Norfolk ‘thank you’ cards for you to share online – email one to someone you would like to say thanks to, or share with them on social media.
• Children’s thank you pictures: youngsters in west Norfolk can get involved too. Download and colour in the pictures that will soon be available from the Love West Norfolk website and display in your windows to say thanks west Norfolk. Or, design your own thank you pictures – and don’t forget to share them on 14 February on social media with the hashtags #lovewestnorfolk and / or #thankswestnorfolk.
• A moment of thanks: at 6pm, on Love West Norfolk Day, Love West Norfolk will be sharing a film on their channels. Why not join in a moment of reflection and gratitude as we say: ‘thanks west Norfolk’.

There will be more information shared across the Love West Norfolk social media channels in the coming weeks: Twitter: @LoveWestNorfolk Facebook: Love West Norfolk and Instagram: love_west_norfolk

Lady Dannatt MBE, Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk lent her support to the day: “There have been so very many people who have gone above and beyond to support others over the last twelve months. I have had the opportunity to learn about numerous inspirational, heart-warming, kind and generous acts in Norfolk, and it has been a pleasure to get to thank just some of those who are making such a profound difference in our county.

“Ahead of this year’s Love West Norfolk day, I would like to say thank you to people in west Norfolk for all that they have done to lend a helping hand in the most challenging of times. A massive thank you to you all.”

Liz Truss MP for South West Norfolk commented “West Norfolk, as well as having fantastic natural beauty and wonderful heritage, is also blessed with amazing community spirit. The past 12 months has truly demonstrated this spirit and the resilience of everyone in the region.

“As we celebrate Love West Norfolk Day, I would like to praise the army of volunteers who have rallied to support the incredible work done by our NHS staff, carers, teachers, police and the thousands of key workers who help keep the show on the road. We have all helped in fighting covid-19 and by continuing to follow the coronavirus guidance, West Norfolk will emerge stronger and I want to thank everyone for their efforts.”

James Wild, MP for North West Norfolk said:  “Our true character shows in times of adversity and people across west Norfolk rose to the immense challenges of Covid by going above and beyond in helping those in need.

“For everyone in our community Love West Norfolk Day is an opportunity to express immense thanks to all the health and social care workers, teachers supermarket staff, refuse collectors, emergency and key workers, businesses and so many more for everything they’ve done.”

Leaders across west Norfolk have got behind this year’s Love West Norfolk Day and are encouraging everyone to share their gratitude for anyone who has made a difference to them by saying ‘thanks west Norfolk’.

Cllr Brian Long, Leader of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, said: “Each year we celebrate the very best of our area on Love West Norfolk Day. The beauty, history, local businesses and much more have been recognised in the past. This year is special as we will highlight the most important asset, the people.

“I encourage residents to thank the person, group or organisation that has done amazing things over this last difficult year by getting in touch. Please give your personal #thankswestnorfolk message through the website so they get the credit they deserve.”

Lorraine Gore, Chief Executive of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk (pictured at the top of the page), adds: “Over the last year actions have spoken louder than words but Love West Norfolk Day this year gives us the opportunity to give credit to some of the amazing achievements of people and organisations across our area who have gone above and beyond. Unfortunately we can’t come together in person but we will do it virtually so please join in and recognise who you want to say ‘thanks west Norfolk’ to.”

Caroline Shaw, Chief Executive of The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, said: “From all of us here at Team QEH, we’d like to say a huge, huge thank you to each and every member of the community for their support and acts of kindness throughout the year. Whether it’s been through monetary donations, words of hope and thanks on our social media channels or gifts and treats, we are truly grateful for everything our community has done to keep us going throughout this tough time. Thank you just isn’t enough.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of my colleagues at Team QEH for their dedication and passion in delivering the best patient care possible during the pandemic. From ward to board, every single person who works for Team QEH has had a part to play in our response to the pandemic and I can’t thank you all enough for your ongoing hard work. Thank you Team QEH and thank you West Norfolk!”

T/Superintendent Lou Provart said: “Kings Lynn Police are the epitome of west Norfolk heroes, and a huge reason why this part of our beautiful county remains such a great place to live, work and do business. All of us here #LoveWestNorfolk and work very hard on your behalf to ensure it remains that way.

“Every day we too come across community heroes who are out there making life better for all of us, whether that is looking after our coastal and rural environment, or volunteering to support those really in a moment of need. The spirit here is first class, and can only be done hand in hand with each other. I’d like to say a huge thank you to you all and we really do look forward to 2021 with an optimism that we will come together again socially!”

Anita Jones, Chief Executive of Freebridge Community Housing said: “This is my first year working in west Norfolk, although I’ve lived here for a few years. I’ve always known that this is an amazing place to be and 2020 showed us that more than ever. We at Freebridge want to thank everyone who stepped up to help the most vulnerable in our area, from the local charities and community groups to those who brightened someone’s day by checking in on a neighbour or friend. 

“I’d also like to thank the team here at Freebridge who have gone above and beyond day in day out to make sure that our tenants are helped and supported. They’ve provided advice on financial support and benefits, made warm meals for those in need at Christmas, kept the children busy with online lockdown activities and continued to provide essential services throughout the pandemic.

“Finally, like many others, I’d like to say a massive thank you to the NHS. One of our board members is a retired nurse and returned to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital last year to help the team there, and it is thanks to her and her colleagues that many people are still able to say in 2021 – thanks west Norfolk.”

Jon Clemo, CEO of Community Action Norfolk commented: “Community Action Norfolk (CAN) are thankful to the many thousands of community volunteers who stepped forward to help their neighbours in the last year. 

“As a charity that works with voluntary and community organisations, we have been in contact with more than 45 different grass roots community groups that sprang up in west Norfolk to help their neighbours during Covid - and we want to say ‘Thanks West Norfolk’ to those people.  It has been heart-warming to see how many people in west Norfolk have been passionate about supporting others in their villages and towns who are impacted by the pandemic, and their kindness and neighbourliness says a lot for community spirit in the area.”

Chris Sargisson, CEO, Norfolk Chambers of Commerce: “We are truly impressed by our local business community who have had to adapt rapidly in these times of uncertainty. Love West Norfolk Day is a wonderful initiative that takes time to recognise and thank those businesses who have helped others and shows just how supportive the business community can be.

“Here at the Chambers we have seen just how well companies and people have quickly learnt to become more supportive of those around them. This recognition can go a long way, especially at a time when businesses are getting ready to steadily start to grow. Saying thank you, showing gratitude and remembering the lessons learnt from the past year provides opportunities to change to keep being kind, supporting communities and shining a light on west Norfolk.”

Michael Baldwin, President of West Norfolk Chamber Council said: “West Norfolk has seen such an outpouring of acts of kindness, selflessness and support of the local community and its local businesses in the last year. I am proud to say that I live and work in west Norfolk an area that has shown such these things in abundance  through awful times of hardship and uncertainty.”