Oor Wullie and brother and sister from Gardenstown thank the NHS
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COMMUNITIES in Banffshire have continued to recognise the work of NHS and frontline workers as the country battles the coronavirus outbreak.
People across the area took part in the latest Clap for Carers event, which took place on Thursday.
And a young brother and sister from Gardenstown have given their thanks with a colourful character.
Zenia (3) and Karter Watt (2) often visit their grandparents, who have a statue of Oor Wullie on their ground.
However, grandmother Avril Ironside said social distancing had changed that.
Keeping to the guidance for distancing though, the youngsters were able to have their photo taken, dressed as their favourite characters from cartoon Doc McStuffins, with the statue and a sign thanking the NHS made by their grandfather, Doug.
Mrs Ironside said: "The grandchildren have been drawing and painting rainbow posters for the windows in the homes of our family.
"My husband Doug also made the sign thanking the NHS.
"There has been great support for the Clap for Carers at Troup View in Gardenstown, with all our neighbours out clattering their pans and cheering. The event is just a bit late for our young ones.
"The Oor Wullie statue we have is also lighted up at night with blue lights."
Mrs Ironside said that their family were particularly grateful to the health service and the maternity ward at Aberdeen who delivered her newest grandchild Zach Douglas Ironside recently during these unprecedented times.
She added: "We can't thank the NHS enough."
Other emergency services in the area joined in with Clap for Carers on Thursday night, including firefighters at Banff Fire Station.
Meanwhile, Aberdeenshire Council said almost £16 million in coronavirus support funding has been paid out to 1344 businesses across the region.
The local authority has been processing up to 300 grant applications per day to ensure firms receive the important funding.
The money is provided by the Scottish Government and administered by local authorities, with eligible ratepayers able to apply for a one-off grant payment.
In addition to the other business support mechanisms including the UK Government’s Job Retention Scheme, the Scottish Government announced that £220 million of further grants are being made available for businesses, including an extension to the Small Business Grant scheme and additional support for self-employed.
Details on how to access this funding are expected to be available by early May.
Councillor Jim Gifford, leader of Aberdeenshire Council, said: "Our businesses are the backbone of our local economy and we are acutely aware of the pressures Covid-19 has placed on them.
"Teams across multiple council services, as well as local and national partners, have been working cohesively to ensure we can get the Business Support Fund grants paid out as quickly as possible and I am pleased to see the significant funds paid out to date.
"I would like to emphasise the importance of accurately completing the application to ensure that it can be successfully processed in a timely manner.
"Please make use of the assistance on offer through ourselves and Business Gateway to complete the form if required.
"I'd also encourage businesses to visit the Covid-19 section of the Aberdeenshire Council website to access accurate information about all available support. Please be assured that we are here to support your business as far as possible."
The deadline for applications to the Business Support Fund is March 31, 2021. Visit www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/business/business-covid-19/ for more information.
For more on how coronavirus is affecting the local area see pages 2, 3, 5, 8, 17 and 21.
