The first three winners of a Nominate A Neighbour scheme have received their free afternoon teas.

Teacher Nicola Johnson, community hero Kieran Payne and busy mum-of-four Mia Morphey were all presented with the treat by KCC community wardens and Morrisons supermarket on Sheppey.

Mrs Johnson, who teaches at Halfway Houses Primary School in Danley Road was nominated by Vicky Booth-Isherwood and parents from Year 1 Ducklings class.

Vicky said: "My son is five. I'm a key worker and he has had to go into school throughout all of lockdown. His teacher Nicola Johnson, who he didn't see at school, Zoomed all the children in her class every single evening from Monday to Friday to read them a story.

"This helped my son massively as he didn't get a chance to see any of his friends throughout the normal school Zoom meetings. Not only did she take time out of her evenings she kept all the children in touch with each other out of school time, too. She never once missed an evening and made time for all the children, asking about their day.

"After speaking to other parents we agreed a free afternoon tea would be an amazing gesture from the children to say thank-you for everything."

Parents Heather and Shane Castle nominated their daughter, mum-of-four Mia Morphey from Ferry View, Rushenden. They said: "She has had a tough time throughout lockdown. She has four children aged 14, 11, six and three and her eldest is disabled with lots of special needs and severe autism.

"Mia is doing her very best to home-school the children while running a busy house and also studying for a BSc in human biology at Canterbury Christ Church University. As her parents we are so proud of her but it is hard for us to watch her struggle as because of the lockdown we can't help as we normally would."

They added: "She has a great husband David but he lost his job because of what is going on."

Michaela Payne nominated Kieran Payne, 21, from Noreen Avenue, Minster.

She said: "Kieran is a young, kind and caring individual who goes above and beyond for the community. He offers time, care and compassion to residents, assists them with a welfare check up, gets essential shopping and puts out their wheelie bins."

She said he spent Sunday afternoons cleaning and gardening for an elderly neighbour and had also launched a successful community litter-pick before lockdown.

To nominate a neighbour visit the Morrisons Sheppey Community Champions Facebook page or email KCC community warden Jackie Swan at jacqueline.swan@kent.gov.uk

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