Entertainment
Emma and Matt Willis join stars training up to be volunteer vaccinators in fight against coronavirus
Emma Willis is among a group of stars who have trained up to be volunteer vaccinators to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.
The TV presenter, along with Dr Ranj, TV vet Dr James Greenwood and Towie’s Bobby Norris have been trained to give the coronavirus vaccine, while Emma’s husband Matt Willis has completed his first shift as a volunteer patient advocate.
The St John’s Ambulance volunteers have been working in hospitals and community projects since the pandemic began.
The Circle host Emma said that it was feeling ‘useless’ that urged her to take part, adding: ‘We wanted to help in some way and give something back.
‘If we can be a tiny part of helping the vaccination process along its way and be an extra pair of hands when hands are needed, then I’ll feel like we’ve done something to contribute.’
Matt revealed: ‘I remember St John from backstage at venues and festivals. At the front there was either a paramedic or someone from St John stood in front of us. I’d recognise those jackets anywhere and it’s a good feeling!
‘Many of us have a lot of time on our hands right now and I want to be able to look back in 10 or 20 years and say I used that time wisely – we did our little bit and we helped in some way.’
Dr Ranj also says he ‘didn’t think twice’ about lending a hand as a volunteer vaccinator, explaining: ‘I know how important it is and I wanted to help in any way I could.
‘So doing it with St John Ambulance, whom I have supported for many years, seemed like the obvious choice.
‘I have been absolutely blown away by the sheer dedication of both the training team and my fellow volunteers. Its feels like we’re part of something very special. It’s the best thing I’ve done in a while!’
Bobby added: ‘This pandemic has affected all of us in one way or another and having found out first-hand how awful it really is, I decided that I wanted to do whatever I could to help others who are experiencing it.
‘I am so grateful to be able to play my part by becoming a St John Ambulance volunteer vaccinator – the NHS is doing an amazing job and to be able to support them is an honour.’
‘The vaccines are the light at the end of the tunnel, and I’ve got past experience, so it was a no-brainer for me to join St John and do my bit.
‘The training made me feel totally confident to go into the vaccination centre but I had no idea how emotional it would be to meet people who were so excited to be getting their vaccines.
‘This is the best way for us all to get back to doing the things we love and taking part in it has given me a really good vibe of positivity.’
You never know who you might meet at the vaccination centre – it may just be a famous face helping out.
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