HE’S used to filming documentaries on some of the most dangerous front lines on the planet, embedded with armies, gangsters and drug lords.
But now TV’s Ross Kemp has joined a different front line — mucking in with HOAR’s Jabs Army to help deliver Covid jabs.
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Ross Kemp has mucked in with HOAR’s Jabs Army to help deliver Covid jabs
The EastEnders legend chatted to a nurse and vaccine patient at Salt Hill Activity vaccine centre in Slough, Berkshire
Ross told volunteers that he wanted to thank them personally
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And the ex-EastEnders actor says our helpers are the real stars, adding he has never felt so humbled.
A visibly emotional Ross, 56, told volunteers at Salt Hill Activity vaccine centre in Slough, Berkshire: “I want to thank you personally. I’ve had Covid and it’s been tough.
“It’s refreshing to see the Jabs Army out on the ground here. You can’t quantify the burden they have taken off the NHS staff.
“This is all about kindness — that is the most important reason that people are here. They care about the vulnerable in society.
“I’m incredibly impressed by the generosity of the British public.”
‘REALLY PROUD’
The centre is the UK’s 17th mass jab hub and enables 800 people to get the vaccine every day.
Ross joined the 18-strong team of volunteers.
After providing a negative test, he got stuck in, helping them to direct anxious patients to designated waiting areas.
Volunteer Rajan Bindra, 44, who is part of the greetings team, told Ross: “I was really proud that my 80-year-old mum Surindira was one of the first people to get their vaccine here.
“A lot of the elderly people who come through here are really anxious and we try to put their mind at ease when we welcome them.
“It’s very rewarding being here despite the cold!”
One of the first patients of the day is Brian Rich, 84, who was given his jab by nurse manager Melissa Parkes, 46, while Ross kept him at ease by chatting.
He told Ross how he had not been able to see his family since last year and applauded the team for giving him hope that he could soon be reunited.
NHS staff on site were full of praise for the essential Jabs Army volunteers.
One doctor told Ross: “We want everyone to know we have a well-run system in place with social distancing — so don’t be afraid to come and get vaccinated.
“The Jabs Army has really played an important role in the last three to four weeks in making that message clear.
“Some of the people coming here are in their 80s and 90s and are confused — it’s the first time they have been out of the house for a year and it’s vital that we have people to help shepherd them through and reassure them.
The TV star got stuck in helping after providing a negative test
The actor says our helpers are the real stars
Ross chatted with volunteers Georgina Parkhurst and Jane Walden
Ross also spoke to Jamie Green, who allocates shifts through his database of 600 Sun volunteers
“Volunteers also give out masks and help sanitise surfaces. Without them it would not be possible to run a vaccination centre.
“This is a mammoth task and we are indebted to the volunteers who have stepped up.”
Keen to speak to more volunteers, Ross struck up a conversation with Sarah Kelly, 57, who was helping sanitise jab stations.
Speaking about why she signed up to be one of the 50,000 Jabs Army volunteers, Sarah said: “I just felt that the vaccine rollout was so important.
The more volunteers there are the quicker we get through the process.
Jamie Green, 52, allocates shifts through his database of 600 Sun volunteers.
