A MUM has thanked her daughter and colleagues for all their hard work during the coronvirus lockdown, with helping to supply not only the public but care home with vital supplies. 

Gillian Galbriath, 26, from Thornliebank, is a dispenser at Boots Sauchiehall Street, with mum Bernadette saying: “She and all her colleagues at Boots on Sauchiehall Street deserve recognition for the amazing work they’ve been doing. 

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“Not only are they making sure that people are getting their medication, they’re out behind the scene and supplying care homes also.

“Pharmacy workers are definitely not recognised as much as they should be because they’re all doing a great job to keep life ticking on.”

“They’ve all been working unbelievably hard and Gillian has been at work in the chemist since this all began, even covering shifts on what would have been her holiday week.

Gillian in following in her mum’s footsteps, who worked as a chemist in Glasgow’s Victoria Hospital for 40 years. 

“I don’t think she ever really thought about following me into the chemists but she ended up getting a job in Boots and training up, I think she has really found her calling. 

Gillian’s five-year-old daughter, Olivia, spends her time at school while she works and Bernadette is looking forward to the day where she can see her daughter and granddaughter again: “All I’m looking forward to is listening to Olivia’s daft stories when she comes over to stay!”

Thomas Shields, 61, from Ruchill, has adapted to life in lockdown by helping to transport carers to and from work. 

Nominated by his granddaughter, Christina, Thomas has been using his experience as a driver with Alzheimer’s Scotland to help transport those in need.

Christina said: “Granda Tuck has been using the bus that he would normally use to take clients to and from the activities and clubs, and using it to collect carers from work and picking them back up, at any time of day, seven days a week.

“It helps the carers to relax – they are able to socially distance in the bus rather than going on a taxi or bus after a stressful shift.”

Thomas, or ‘Granda Tuck’, has also been helping to hand out food parcels using his own car, with the help of Christina’s gran.

“For a man in his 60s, he is quite high risk but he says it’s no problem at all.”

Christina, a nurse at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital’s orthopaedic therapy department, also said that her grandad has been a big support for her. 

“The kettle is always on for me coming home and he’s always there for a wee chat, he deserves to be recognised as a hero.”

Natalie Wilson nominated her mum Kate Cairns for Glasgow Times’ Key Worker Heroes for her work at Northgate Care Home.

Kate, 57, from Dennistoun, has worked at the care home in Barlornock for around eight years as a carer and unit manager. 

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Natalie said: “My mum works endlessly normally but she has been going above and beyond during this time. She works so hard and she always puts other people ahead of her health. 

“She has arthritis, which makes some of the work she does in the care homes a bit harder for her, but she never complains.”

Kate currently stays with Natalie’s sister, with Natalie staying that she can’t wait for the entire family to be back together again. She said: “I look up to my 
mum so much, she’s so kind and caring.”