Published on 14th May 2021

A close up picture of the Mayor's chain

Staff and volunteers at Cheltenham’s Covid vaccine centre will be thanked by the Mayor when he visits on Tuesday 18 May.

Cllr Steve Harvey, who is to become Cheltenham’s new mayor, has chosen to make his first public engagement at Cheltenham Fire Station to thank all those who continue to work hard as they roll out the Covid vaccination programme. The new mayor will be accompanied by his wife Jo, the new Mayoress of Cheltenham. Jo works at NHS England in London but has been working from their home in Charlton Kings since March last year because of the Covid pandemic. Jo was equally as keen for the opportunity as the town’s new Mayoress to show support to all the vaccination team. 

The visit will follow Cllr Harvey’s mayoral inauguration which will take place the day before, on 17 May.

Mayor, Cllr Harvey said:  ‘’These are people who have come forward to support the local community – many as volunteers – at an incredibly challenging time.  Jo and I would like to thank them personally for their efforts, briefly of course, so as not to stop their important work. Their commitment and dedication – as well as that of the wider NHS -  is something we should all be very proud and thankful for.’’

Dr Cameron Jackson, lead GP at the community vaccination centre in Cheltenham, said:  “It is a privilege to be part of the team which is playing such an integral part in rolling out vaccines across Cheltenham. We are incredibly proud to have delivered over 102,000 vaccinations in the area, including to those who are housebound, as well as care home residents.

‘’It has taken a huge local effort to have reached this stage of the vaccination programme and I am grateful to each and every one of my colleagues who have worked tirelessly to make this happen.”

Sarah Gallagher, advanced nurse practitioner at the community vaccination in Cheltenham, added: “The vaccination programme is a huge task, but critical in our collective fight against the pandemic. We have worked with focus and an absolute commitment to deliver the vaccine safely and efficiently. It is wonderful that we can already feel the effect of our programme in lowering infection rates and allowing us to return to the lives we want to lead.”


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Notes

This year, the mayor will support Friends of Cheltenham Samaritans through a variety of fundraising activities and events.

You will be able to follow the new mayor on Twitter @CheltenhamMayor and on Facebook, Mayor of Cheltenham.