Medway's emergency services and local community organisations were celebrated on Emergency Services Day yesterday.

The council held an afternoon tea to thank Medway's services for their hard work protecting residents during the coronavirus pandemic.

Cllr Alan Jarrett, leader of Medway Council, said: "We were pleased to welcome so many representatives from Medway’s emergency services and community organisations to Gun Wharf to mark 999 Day."

Those in attendance included Kent Police, Medway NHS Foundation Trust, wHoo cares, a community interest company who aim to reduce social isolation, and One Big Family a volunteer group supporting the homeless who won Best Use of Volunteers at the Kent Charity Awards this month.

Cllr Jarrett continued: "Emergency Services Day is our chance to support the heroic men and women, as well as the NHS and volunteers, who work tirelessly to keep the people of Medway safe.

"It was truly heart-warming to see Medway’s communities coming together to support one another during the pandemic and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our partners, and our own council officers, for everything they did to support Medway’s residents."

Messages from Medway residents were also put on display on bunting showing the communities gratefulness to their services.

They read: "Thank you for your dedication and hard work. We will forever be in your debt; absolutely amazing every one of you, we can’t thank everyone enough for your selfless care and kindness and every emergency service is absolutely amazing, as is every single person that works in the services, thank you all."

Emergency Services Day, known as 999 Day, was founded in 2016 with support of The Queen, the Prime Minister and First Ministers of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

It is a national day across the UK, giving communities a chance to support the heroic people of the NHS and emergency services.

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