An appreciative reader's letter praising West Tower, Aughton:

'Hello,

I wanted to write in as I think now it finally feels like we are starting to come out the other side of this pandemic I think it is very important to acknowledge those individuals and businesses who have stepped up to help where they did not have to.

Those of us who work in the NHS have done our jobs in the hardest circumstances imaginable and the bond we now have with any colleagues who worked during Covid-19 will never be broken but I can't help but feel eternal gratitude to those who stepped up to help where they did not have to, it wasn't their place but they did it anyway.

A local business, West Tower in Aughton (family ran I believe) that normally just host weddings have throughout the pandemic opened their bedrooms up to any NHS worker; those who are working extra shifts, having to shield from family members, are isolating themselves - or just needing somewhere to rest.

I don't know anyone else who has done this and I know they have done so without taking any money at all and simply said it was their way of trying to help us. I have just been on their FB page and can see a number of comments and reviews left by Doctors / Nurses who have been able to make use of the facilities.

I did not personally stay at West Tower as I never needed to but a number of my colleagues did who have wrote about it on our own Facebook page "The Meeting Place" (Facebook page for all NHS workers based in Ormskirk & Southport) who have said how lovely it was and who without this generous offer would not have been able to carry on working.

Apparently someone from West Tower had actually left their own home to live on site to look after anyone staying. I feel like we need some nice things to read about at the moment in our local news and I think a business like this deserves a mention for the kindness and respect they have shown us.

Regards,

Charlotte Griffiths.'