Queen’s Scout and teacher Lizzie helps thousands after missing wedding due to Covid-19
By Jill Dando News
Bear Grylls has praised Queen’s Scout Lizzie Harvey as the big-hearted English teacher missed her Easter wedding and instead is helping thousands of those affected by Covid19.
Lizzie is using skills learned at The King Alfred School Academy (TKASA) in Somerset and as a school-based scout leader to be the coronavirus frontline leader of 500 volunteers locally.
Her wedding on Easter Saturday with honeymoon to the Hebrides was postponed and instead Lizzie set up a not-for-profit which is now helping thousands of those suffering directly or indirectly by Covid19.
In a fast expanding work, Lizzie and her ‘Clevedon Aid - C.I.C.’ delivers essential food, and prescriptions to residents across North Somerset. It collects and delivers Personal Protective Equipment to all all the care-homes, GPs and the MIU. They are running extra collection days in partnership with the local Foodbank and are working on a project with local businesses to provide hot meals to families in need.
And amongst a host of other help to residents, they have set up a mental health and well-being check-in service.
The Priory Learning Trust English teacher helped set up Britain’s first secondary school-based scout group at TKASA last year, endorsed by Bear Grylls and Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
She is also among a select few to be awarded the prestigious the Queen’s Scout Award as a young person and rose the ranks of the inspirational organisation.
This week Bear Grylls praised Lizzie, her colleagues and others like her for their selfless acts in times of hardship.
Speaking to the Good News Post, Bear Grylls, said: “We are all so proud of Lizzie and her friends.
“Being a scout is all about helping others, and helping the community, and these skills are vital in crisis’ such as the one we are in at the moment.
“Well done to Lizzie and all those who are doing similar selfless acts at this time of hardship.”
Lizzie, who is now volunteering seven 12 hour days a week, said: “It is a privilege to help. I was due to celebrating my honeymoon now but this is a global crisis and this is so much more important.
“I’m drawing hourly on my skills learned as a teacher and scout leader, with regards to leadership, dealing with a crisis, safeguarding the vulnerable, and so many ways.”
“Teaching is the best job in the world and I love being able to continue being a scout leader to help develop young people further.
“The school values and the scout values are the same. It’s always about helping other people whenever and whenever we can.”
The organisation is now the central hub supporting all aid being delivered by charities and outlets in the area, as well as with authorities such as Avon and Somerset police, the NHS, social services and care providers at state level.
TKASA is one of Britain’s fastest improving schools and part of the high-achieving and caring The Priory Learning Trust, which lead 7 community academies.
To donate click here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/clevedon-aid?utm_term=pBbKekBrx
More information can be found at clevedonaid.org.uk.
