Mark Stephenson has been awarded a Somerset Medal by Somerset County Council for helping the shielding and vulnerable in

the Wellington area during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The council launched the medal to say a heartfelt thank-you to the many unsung Covid-19 heroes.

Council leader Cllr David Fothergill said: “The number and quality of the nominations we received were quite astounding.

It was humbling and immensely heartening to read so many stories of how people have responded so positively to the coronavirus crisis, putting others’ well-being first and foremost.”

The cross-party judging panel – Cllr Fothergill, Cllr Christine Lawrence, cabinet member for Customers & Communities, Cllr Jane Lock, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, and Cllr Leigh Redman, Leader of the Labour Group – reviewed every nomination before coming to their decision on the winners.

All nominees will receive a letter from the panel thanking them for their efforts and their medals later this year when Covid restrictions allow.

Cllr Fothergill added: “Awarding the medal shines a light on those who have done so much for their communities during the past very challenging year.

“There’s no better way to celebrate the spirit of Somerset than to honour our unsung heroes on Somerset Day.”

Mark’s citation read: “For delivering over 500 prescriptions to those people who are either shielding or vulnerable in and around Wellington since March last year.

“He committed himself to this when he was on furlough between March and September, and continued when he went back to work.”