Washington shopkeeper Bob Singh awarded for heroic community effort supporting residents during the pandemic

Bob Singh, who owns the Nisa Local store in Barmston, has spent much of the last year providing food for the vulnerable, giving thousands of hand sanitisers to care homes and NHS staff across the North East and organising volunteers to help support the Washington community.

During the initial panic of lockdown, Mr Singh also reduced the price of items in his store and helped residents get essentials that were selling out elsewhere, like bread, milk and toilet paper.

To thank him for his hard work during the crisis, The Rotary Club of Washington presented Mr Singh with a thank you certificate and praised him for his work supporting the community.

Rotarian Neil Mconie said: “Bob’s concern for those in need is admirable, beyond words. He reduced his shop’s prices, provided bread for the elderly when there was none elsewhere and organised local volunteers to help distribute free food parcels to those in isolation. The certificate is to thank Bob for all his hard work and kindness towards the local community.”

During the early lockdown, Bob used the power of social media to reach out to people in need, offer his support and arrange deliveries to vulnerable people who could not leave their home.

The dad of three has owned the Nisa local store for the last 10 years and in the height of lockdown, Bob and his team were delivering food parcels to 700 houses a day for almost four weeks.

Bob’s mammoth community effort has seen him become a pillar of the Washington community and he hopes to continue supporting those in need any way he can for years to come.

As well as this, Bob has also raised money for a number of local charities in the area through competitions and fundraisers and kept in touch with isolating residents who were feeling lonely and vulnerable during the pandemic.

Neil Mconie added: “Barmston’s Bob Singh is a glowing example to us all. His leadership qualities along with his actions speak louder than words.”

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