TMF LOCKDOWN HEROES: Teen spreads smiles with ‘flour power’

Friday 12 June 2020

A teenager who got to know her neighbours via sweet treats, smiles and the offer of a helping hand has been named as a ‘lockdown hero’ finalist.

The TMF Lockdown Hero Awards were launched by TMF Group in partnership with Bailiwick Express to say thank you to the heroes of the health crisis and celebrate the many local acts of kindness that have kept the island going at a difficult time.

Nominations have flooded in since the awards were launched, and now a panel has whittled all the stories of “ordinary people during extraordinary things” down to a shortlist of just four entries in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

Express will be sharing each of their stories before the public gets to decide which of the shortlisted heroes should win the top £500 cash prize.

Today's shortlisted hero is Amy McColl, the 14-year-old who took lockdown as an opportunity to get to know her new neighbours by exchanging an array of baked goods in exchange for something very simple – the smile of a stranger.

Pictured: Amy has been reaching out to her neighbours to ensure they have the support they need during lockdown.

Amy was nominated by her mother, Rebecca, who secretly put the teen’s name into the ring in the hopes she’ll be recognised for the acts of kindness she’s paid her community during the crisis. 

Speaking to Express about why Amy is her ‘Lockdown Hero’, Rebecca explained that they had just moved to a new area shortly before the island went into lockdown when her daughter took it upon herself to get to know the neighbours in a very special way. 

Out of the blue, Amy came up with a plan to use her baking skills to spread some joy whilst her neighbourhood was in isolation. By baking a different treat each week, from cakes, to scones and even trifles and individual cheesecakes, Amy hand-delivered each labour of love to her neighbours – leaving them on their doorstep to maintain social distancing.

She took the opportunity to introduce herself, as well as offering a hand to help others out whilst the virus took hold of the island. 

Rebecca commented: “The first time she went with them she made individual rainbow cards for everybody saying who she was and the fact that she decided to do a little baking to try and keep everyone's spirits up. And she obviously put her telephone number as well, so if they had any chores that she could help out with she would do those as well for them.”

Starting with just the houses immediately next door, Amy’s ‘flour power’ has now extended throughout the neighbourhood. Rebecca said that they have been able to get to know the people they live near as well as providing extra support for those who might need it.

Pictured: Some cookies Amy made for her elderly neighbours whilst they were shielding. 

“Every week now, [the neighbours] know that we're coming! One week we were really late... and one lady said, ‘Oh I was so worried, I thought you weren't coming today,’ which was really sweet. They've all been so lovely. They’ve offered to give [Amy] money, they've offered to give her things and she said: ‘No, thank you, it's just nice to see that everyone smiles when I do it.’” 

Rebecca remarked upon how even though her daughter is dealing with “the stress of being off school... she still managed to think of doing something for other people.”

She also told Express that the best piece of feedback Amy got was after making lemon drizzle cake a neighbour said “it tastes nicer than Marks & Spencer’s! She was very pleased with that feedback.”

When asked how she thinks Amy will react when she finds out she’s been nominated and shortlisted for the prize, her mother laughed and said she thinks she might be “a little bit embarrassed” but ultimately “chuffed to bits” at the news. 

Pictured: Damien Fitzgerald, Head of Funds, TMF Group - Guernsey.

Amy's nomination was welcomed by Damien Fitzgerald, Head of Funds for TMF Group in Guernsey. He said: "As a company with more than 100 offices in over 80 jurisdictions, we know that working together can be very powerful.

"These Lockdown Heroes have been at the heart of our communities, carrying out activities that have enabled people - many of which are vulnerable and shielding - to get through this pandemic. It's important that we celebrate these acts of kindness, as well as the passion and community spirit of our islanders."

If you think Amy should be crowned the TMF Lockdown Hero, look out for a poll on Express in the next few days to cast your vote.

Pictured top: Amy McColl.