Meet the award-winning Romford vaccine volunteer who dedicates his retirement to helping Havering

For 16 months during the Covid pandemic, Eric Willson volunteered six days a week at Victoria Hospital on Pettits Lane in Romford.

The 76-year-old spent his days meeting and greeting visitors, showing patients around and directing them on where to get their jabs.

He said: “We had to ask the questions like, ‘is this your certain vaccination?’ and ‘have you got your card?’ just to make sure they were there at the right time for their vaccination.’’

Before retiring a few years ago, Eric worked in mental health for around seven years as a project care assistant.

In this role, he “looked after people when they came out of hospital”.

Eric added: “I loved it, I really did, helping people get back into the community.’’

Being recently retired, Eric has taken the opportunity to volunteer at several different locations in the community in the past few years.

“I just decided I would help out people doing a bit of gardening here, a bit of gardening there, and then this came up and I thought ‘right!’ and I just did it."

In addition to this, he also volunteered at a GP for eight weeks while building work was being done.

Shortly before the former mayor of Havering, John Mylod, lost his seat in the May elections and was replaced by Cllr Trevor McKeever, then-Cllr Mylod held two Civic Awards ceremonies on April 8 and 22 to recognise Havering's heroes for their contributions to the local community.

Eric was one of dozens to receive a medal and certificate in acknowledgement of his efforts.

Eric won a medal in the Mayor's Civic Awards this April (Image: Eric Willson)

Mr Mylod said: “It’s always a great honour and a privilege to celebrate those in our community who go above and beyond to help other residents.

“These two award ceremonies were all about shining a light on these efforts and thanking those awarded on behalf of our borough.”

A group photo of the Mayor's Civic Award winners in April (Image: Havering Council)

Eric has taken some time off from volunteering to enjoy a well-deserved holiday, but is now back and ready to find future opportunities in the community.