Lee Vann-Wakelin has been paying tribute to people across the region since the day before lockdown started in March. He started his own Youtube channel called LVW’s TV and posted pictures of key workers who had been nominated.
“The idea was for me to say thank you to as many local key workers as possible, as the fact was some of us were safely at home with our families and others were working in horrendous situations,” he said. “It was really a time when everyone was thinking so much about themselves that I thought I’d go the other way. The first thank you film went out on March 19. It featured 13 heroes all nominated by locals. People working in NHS, supermarkets, pharmacies, petrol stations, post offices, bike shops and many others were included.”
Lee – with the help from son Lincoln – made a further 24 videos and thanked over 500 people. But Lee decided he wanted to help out further and decided more thank yous were needed.
This is when he created “Happy Boxes” which contain sweets, drinks, snacks and a thank you note from one of his five children – Lincoln, Miyah, Jayden, Liberty and Kennedie. At first Lee and his wife Louisa funded five boxes a week but has since received donations from Masonic Lodge in Sanquhar and from friends as far away as Watford and Texas.
Lee said: “It’s totalled £730 in donations for us to make as many boxes as possible. We have sent 281 boxes out as it stands. They cost £3.50 to fill and have between 7 to 10 items in them, plus a wee thank you drawing from one of my five kids. We have the funds to carry on indefinitely, and at worst will go back to five boxes a week again. We do not plan to stop doing this until March 19 next year, as we want the key workers to know that they will not be forgotten.”
Key worker Sara Cook has received a “Happy Box” and says it has made her feel valued. She said: “It’s a fantastic gesture from them. Receiving a box has totally made my day and has put a smile on my face. “It is very thoughtful that they have started this and it is very appreciated and makes you feel valued. It’s very nice.”
