THE Glasgow Times wants to showcase the hard work of those individuals who are on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic.

Today we publish the stories of some of the key workers who have shown courage and determination in extraordinary circumstances.

Thanks to your nominations and Network Private Hire, we are able to shine the spotlight on Glasgow's heroes including Glasgow Royal Infirmary nurse Julie Mallon.

Glasgow Times:

Jen and Julie

She was the first person to be nominated by friend Jen McIlhone, from Baillieston, for her hard work within the Intensive Care Unit for more than a decade.

Jen said: "She is one of the most selfless people I know and she is very caring - she is the perfect nurse basically."

She added: "She really is in the epicentre. It is a very difficult ward and not everyone gets to leave unfortunately.

"When they do, she gets a real sense of pride."

Julie, who lives in nearby Uddingston, is married to Anthony who is a firefighter and is mum to Kacey, 17, Orlaith, 6 and Caiomhe, 4.

Jen said her family including husband Paul, daughter Carys, 13 and son Leo, 5 go on holiday with Julie's family - and they call the adventure the 'McMallons'.

Both families had planned a June trip to Cyprus which was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Glasgow Times:

Sharon and Paul 

Carntyne private hire driver Paul Robertson is working six days a week and around 70 hours a week supporting the city's hospitals and most vulnerable.

His proud partner Sharon Millar nominated the Network Private Hire driver for helping the hospitals during this difficult time. He is often asked to courier items between hospitals in between driving medical staff and patients.

His company also supports a service to deliver fresh fruit and vegetable packages across the city.

Sharon said: "He is out on the frontline and I am proud of how hard he has been working.

"Paul is a taxi driver and without him nurses, doctors wouldn't get to work. Vulnerable people wouldn't get to their hospital appointments or food delivered, he goes way beyond what is needed."

The couple also had a holiday they were looking forward to cancelled and Paul has been unable to coach his Celtic Girls 12's side who compete in the SWF Jane Ross 13s league because of lockdown.

Glasgow Times:

Carer Elizabeth Crosbie is a hero in her daughter Linda O'Donnell's eyes.

The mother-of-three, from Mansewood, has been on the frontline providing care services for South Lanarkshire Council.

Mum-of-four Linda, from King's Park, said: "My mum has been a carer for over 20 years. She is doing such an amazing job.

"She is putting herself at risk helping people who have got coronavirus and she has been fighting for PPE - but that doesn't stop her going out and giving 100 per cent."

Linda, who is making masks for Elizabeth and is mum to Aimee, 14, Malachy, 7, Farrah, 6, and Adrianna, 3, said her children are missing their grandma who they haven't seen since before lockdown.

She added: "She also works for the union and is supporting all her colleagues throughout this time.

"We are a close family and it is now seven weeks since she has seen the kids. They are really missing her."

Elizabeth is also mum to John-Paul and Jamie and grandma to Jamie, 10, Shay, 2, and Owen, 1.

The Glasgow Times has run this important thank you message in conjunction with Network Private Hire. 

In a statement, the firm said: "‘Be positive and keep up the amazing work you are all doing in really difficult circumstances."

In the coming weeks, we will share the stories of those who are selfless and in our eyes heroes as we continue in the fight against coronavirus. 

Glasgow Times editor Callum Baird said: "Our newspaper is for the people of Glasgow and we want to celebrate those Glaswegians who have shown bravery by working on the frontline during the coronavirus pandemic.
"It does not surprise us that we have received hundreds of nominations because we know just how special the people in this city are during difficult times.
"I thank every reader who continues to support this newspaper during the coronavirus pandemic and I am sure they will enjoy reading the stories of the ordinary Glaswegians who are doing extraordinary things.
"Stay safe and keep buying the newspaper over the coming weeks to see if your heroic keyworker is featured."