The boss of Westoe Travel has joined his council’s network of Covid Community Champions encouraging South Tyne residents to get vaccinated.
Graeme Brett, owner of the independent travel agency in South Shields, features in a YouTube video, talking about how he has received his first Covid-19 jab and is looking forward to his second.
The agency tweeted a link to the video along with the message: “We are very honoured that our @brettgraemew has been asked to become one of South Tyneside Council’s Covid Community Champions encouraging @STyne_Council residents to get vaccinated.”
Filmed at his agency, his video also warns viewers about scams in the borough, and Brett urges people not to fall for them.
He also says there are myths about the vaccine and advises residents to look on the NHS website or speak to a medical professional for accurate information.
Brett and his wife Joan have run Westoe Travel for 32 years and he comments in the video: “It’s so nice that people are starting to look forward to booking and going on holiday again.
“The vaccine is a huge part of getting back to normal.”
The council said it has created the Covid Community Champions network “to help us keep people safe, reassured and supported in these uncertain times” and to keep communities “well informed” to help stop the spread of infection.
• The shop was decorated in pink and blue hearts on Saturday (May 22) to mark the anniversary of the Manchester Arena bombing four years ago.
Westoe Travel apprentice Chloe Rutherford and her boyfriend Liam Curry were among those who died in the attack and the town of South Shields is decorated in pink and blue as a tribute on the anniversary each year.
The agency tweeted on Saturday: “Today we remember the 22 people who lost their lives at Manchester Arena and think especially of Chloe Rutherford and Liam Curry. We send all of our love to their families.”
More: Westoe Travel to remember agent Chloe Rutherford and boyfriend Liam Curry