Two Covid heroes from Hucknall unveiled a plaque at a care home in Carrington on Thursday to honour 11 residents who lost their lives during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Lynne Ryland and Owen Towle were invited by Acorn House to represent Hucknall based taxi firm Ideal Cars. Ms Ryland is Contracts and Commercial manager of Ideal Cars as well as running OT fundraisers, which is named after her son, Owen, who has a rare genetic condition called Prader-Willi syndrome. Together the pair give back to the community through various events, collections, and support of good causes.

The company helped the care home in various ways throughout the pandemic including transporting residents to vaccination appointments and have been recognised for their impact on local communities throughout Nottinghamshire. This culminated in them receiving two honours at Ashfield District Council's Covid awards.

They joined Councillor Dave Trimble, Lord Mayor of Nottingham, in unveiling the plaque, whilst a tree of life was also planted in the grounds of the home.

Speaking exclusively to Hucknall Nub News, Ms Ryland said: "It was very emotional really because we're really proud to be invited to do this after what we've been doing for the past 18 months. It's just an absolute privilege so it was something that we said yes to and we're still continuing to do the work and support the community."

Of the work that the care home staff had done during the pandemic, she added: "It's absolutely amazing; they've all been outstanding."

As well as unveiling the plaque Councillor Trimble also said a few words in tribute to those who died during the pandemic.

Speaking exclusively to Hucknall Nub News, he said: "Well obviously I can't get to everything that comes up but I thought I just have to do it. You have to commemorate it, remember it but you have to then think to the future, so I thought planting a tree of life was a lovely idea.

"I just can't fathom for a moment how they managed. Most of the staff would have had Covid as well, there would have been so few of them on the ground, 24 hours a day support for those residents. They lost 11 residents here, now how can you get up the next day and work and do that again, again and again day after day? They're heroes; they're absolute heroes."

General Manager of Acorn House, Ian Finnie explained why he felt it was important to mark the lives of the residents lost during the pandemic.

Speaking exclusively to Hucknall Nub News, he said: "I think we really wanted to celebrate people's lives that lived here but also the fact that a lot of people lost lives not just here but in other care homes and I think they should be remembered by something that's going to be a lasting memorial to them."

He also praised the efforts of his staff in what he described as the toughest period of his career. He said: "The staff were absolutely unbelievable, their fortitude, their stamina, their caring, the way that they worked long hours often double shifts and things like that. They were absolutely phenomenal; they've worked all through all this and continue to work through it now and they've never really had the time to reflect on it so it's a place for them to reflect as well.

"I've been a manager in care for nearly 15 years now and I've never known anything like it but working with true caring professional people like I work with was truly inspirational. They were absolute heroes. Some of our staff moved into the home for a period of time, their resilience and fortitude was fantastic."

Mr Finnie also praised the support the home received from the local community.

"Lots of people got involved but we wanted to recognise people that did that off their own bat without being prompted. I think we need to keep recognising those people even though the pandemic is settling down. I think people like Lynne and Owen need to be remembered and recognised for their efforts because they made a massive difference to so many people's lives."