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A Christmas message from the Chairman of Epping Forest District Council, Councillor Helen Kane.
Rise of human endeavour and generosity
Chairman of Epping Forest District Council, Councillor Helen Kane.
2020 is not a year I shall look back on with pleasure and I suspect I’m not alone in thinking that. Indeed, there are very few people who have not been affected by the worldwide turmoil and uncertainty that COVID-19 has inflicted on us all. But out of this turmoil we have seen rise the best of human endeavour and generosity. We have learned that it is as important as ever to build communications and create harmony.
Front line rise to the challenges
The challenges many people face today are very different from those we have faced in the past, but we can all take inspiration from those on the front line. That front line is not just referring to our brave service men and women who are serving on operations in common cause to bring peace and security to troubled places, or our emergency services who are there for us 24 hours a day 7 days a week. But also to the extraordinary workers in our NHS who have battled an enemy that we did not know how to control. When faced with such a virus they rose to the challenges and have done a magnificent job day in and day out and I know that they will continue to do so long after the pandemic has passed. We will all be eternally grateful to them.
Selfless key workers and volunteers
Chairman of Epping Forest District Council, Cllr Helen Kane continued:
We must also take this opportunity to remember the wonderful key workers and the selfless volunteers who have stepped up to the mark during this pandemic. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things: volunteers, carers, community organisers and good neighbours: unsung heroes whose quiet dedication makes them special. Our teachers, our refuse collectors, our hospital men and women, our local shops and our kind neighbours. A friendly face on our doorstep or just a phone call to check we are okay. Small acts of kindness that they’ve had an enormous impact on some people’s lives especially the bereaved and the lonely. Each and every one have played their part in ensuring that we have some sort of normality in our lives and those small acts of kindnesses can make really a big difference. So, from my heart I say thank you on behalf of the residents of Epping Forest.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Things have certainly changed but Christmas time gives us the chance to reflect on the past year and truly appreciate our friends and families. It is also the time to look forward to a new year and our hope for a better future. So, from my house to yours, I would like to say we need to believe in love, in happiness. We need to believe in the miracle of Christmas and I hope your hearts are filled with joy and the warmth this special season brings. Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year to you all.
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