Corby school worker's surprise as he's named a Rose of Northamptonshire

A Corby school's education welfare officer has spoken of his surprise after he was recognised for his voluntary lockdown work.

Beanfield Primary School's Callum Reilly has been named a Rose of Northamptonshire for his efforts to help the Corby community in the pandemic.

He's now been given a certificate after an awards ceremony on Zoom with delegates including James Saunders Watson, the Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire.

Callum said: "You never do anything like this to get awarded for it, so it was a huge surprise. I heard a few months ago that I had been nominated and we had the awards ceremony online.

"From March until July I volunteered for a local organisation, Helping Hands, which delivered care packages for people who were isolating or vulnerable. As a group we delivered hundreds of parcels.

"We would meet and prepare packages and I delivered a minimum of 15 to 20 a week. That was really nice because for some people that was the only contact they had with anyone. Northants County Council put out a call for volunteers so I signed up for that as well so Corby Council contacted me as they needed help delivering leaflets around the town.’"

Callum had also set up a community choir, Chordless Corby, two years ago with his Beanfield colleague, Ruth Adams. The choir met weekly on Wednesdays and it now continues meeting online.

Before lockdown the choir had about 60 people attending its sessions at St Ninian's Church hall. Now, between 15 and 20 people take part each week online.

Callum said: "We wanted to get people involved who hadn’t done anything like this before. We do a lot of songs that people request and it is a big sing-along. It gives people a chance to talk with others, particularly if they are having to self-isolate."

A total of £1,200, which has been raised by the choir, has been donated to Lakelands Hospice.

Callum added: "During the ceremony Mr Saunders Watson asked what has been my most memorable moment, but there have been loads.

"You never do anything like this to get recognition. I like to make a difference to people and I always used to do a lot with music and after school clubs.

"I like to stay busy and it makes you more fulfilled plus it’s a great way of socialising with people in the community."

The Rose of Northamptonshire awards scheme was designed by Northamptonshire County Council and its leader, as well as the formal institutions of the High Sheriff's office and Lord Lieutenancy, to recognise that many across the county have committed themselves to response and relief efforts since the beginning of the outbreak.

The awards seek to highlight those in every sector and locality of the county that have played a key role.

To nominate someone, visit the page here.