Thank you Jean

Jean and her angels watch over the vulnerable and elderly

Jean Murray has been nominated by Councillor Geraldine Kilgour.

Jean Murray, 58, is the proprietor of Murray’s Club, located on Hedworth Estate. The club has had to close for business due to the current circumstances and Jean, with the help of family and friends, has turned it in to a temporary food bank.

Councillor Kilgour, chair of governors at St Joseph’s Catholic Academy, Hebburn, explains why Jean is a hero to her community.

“Jean is much-loved on the Hedworth Estate and is an extremely hard worker. The thought of having to cut herself off completely from the community that she loves was unbearable for her. Therefore, Jean and her daughters, Kate, Sarah-Jane and Laura, set up a Facebook group to reach out to those most in need. Jean’s daughters, who have been affectionately nicknamed ‘Jean’s Angel’s’ by residents, carry out deliveries along with other kind-hearted people on the estate, while Jean arranges, buys and boxes up the supplies.

“Jean is a lady with a massive heart and coming from Hedworth she’s everything I love about the ward.”

Jean said: “I am born and bred on the Hedworth Estate and I wouldn’t live anywhere else. The people are some of the nicest you could ever meet and we look after our own.

“With the help of family and friends, I have been able to deliver around 250 food parcels to the vulnerable and elderly.

“We receive generous donations from places such as Hedworth Community Centre, Morrisons in Jarrow, construction and engineering company, Costain and individuals. We have established a timetable and the people we help receive weekly essentials from us.

“A lot of elderly people are coming out of hospital and they have nobody to support them. We make them a priority, delivering food and then referring them on to the nearest established food bank.

“We will continue to provide this service until we are not needed. Like everyone, I look forward to when normality resumes but until then we must look after our most vulnerable.

The Mayor of South Tyneside Councillor Norman Dick, said: “On behalf of the people of South Tyneside and the Mayoress, I would like to convey our gratitude to you for helping to ensure that the vulnerable and elderly within the borough are supported and protected.

“I feel that South Tyneside has joined together, more than ever, as a community and as the Borough’s First Citizen, I would like to say a huge personal thank you for being part of our community and for helping us address this challenge in an extremely positive way. We are extremely #proud.”