Blackpool park friends group looking for key worker nominations to receive thank you gifts

The Friends of East Pines Park has donated over 50 "thank you" bags to key workers within the FY5 postcode, Cleveleys, Thornton and Anchorsholme, since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

The scheme was created following a grant of £400 from Warburtons on Amy Johnson Way, and allows any nominated key worker to receive a bag.

They contain boxes of chocolates, biscuits, tissues, a hand written thank you card and a knitted bee, designed to bring comfort to key workers during difficult times.

Nurses, carers, retail workers, taxi drivers and bus drivers count themselves among the recipients of the bags so far, and now the friends group is looking for another 50 nominations for the bags, thanks to recent extra support from Blackpool BID.

Coun Paul Galley, Anchorsholme councillor and chairman of the Friends Group, said: "We are so proud of everyone, and this is our way of letting all those who give so much of themselves know that the park family and wider community are right behind them.

"Apart from the chocolates and biscuits, one of the main features of the thank you bags are one of the park's knitted bees, which are designed to give anyone during or after a busy shift a little reassuring hug.

"Following the initial success of the scheme, Blackpool Bid have stepped in to ensure it continues, donating a number of biscuits and chocolates."

"Michelle Backhouse, secretary of the Friends Group, said: "We are so grateful to Blackpool Bid and Burton's Biscuits, as well as Warburtons, for what they have allowed us to do".

If you would like to nominate a key worker who lives in the FY5 area for a thank you bag, email Paul Galley at [email protected]A message from the Editor:

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