COMMUNITY HEROES

COVID-19: MINESH & JAY PATEL

JEREMY HUNT DECLARES MINESH AND JAY ‘COMMUNITY HEROES’

SURRREY COSTCUTTER RETAILERS MINESH AND JAY PATEL HAVE BEEN RECOGNISED BY JEREMYHUNT AS OFFICIAL ‘COMMUNITY HEROES’ UNDER THE INITIATIVE THE MP LAUNCHED TO RECOGNISETHE WORK OF LOCAL STARS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

A Costcutter retailer’s commitment to supporting his local community during the pandemic has been recognised after he picked up a South West Surrey Heroes Award.

The Community Heroes Scheme, launched by local MP Jeremy Hunt, saw Minesh Patel and his wife Jay nominated for the award in recognition of their huge efforts at the height of the pandemic.

The couple have owned and run the store – known locally as Bourne Stores – in Lower Bourne, Surrey, for the past 20 years. During the first lockdown they worked round the clock to ensure their community had access to essential items.

Sourcing milk, eggs and bread from local farmers, they then delivered free of charge to elderly and vulnerable shoppers in their local community. The couple sold a record 13,000 litres of milk, 8,000 boxes of eggs and over 5,000 loaves of bread between March and June 2020.

“I’m absolutely delighted that we, along with our staff, have been recognised by our local community in this way,” said Minesh. “Whilst my wife was out doing daily deliveries, my team and I were stacking shelves, serving on the tills, baking in the bakery and manning the post office. It truly was a team effort.

Without individuals, groups and organisations like you, life would have been even more difficult for many people in the community.

Jeremy Hunt MP

“Lower Bourne is a close-knit community and one that has supported us for 20 years, so it was a pleasure to be able to help them, when they needed it most.”

Jeremy Hunt, MP for South West Surrey, personally thanked Minesh and said: “Without individuals, groups and organisations like you, life would have been even more difficult for many people in the community. On behalf of all those you have helped and supported during this difficult time, which of course regrettably continues, please accept my most heartfelt thanks and appreciation.”