President's column: Heroes one and all

This week the nation heard the sad news of the passing of Captain Sir Tom Moore, writes Solihull Chamber president Robert Elliot.

Our thoughts are with his family, and our memories of his great achievements in 2020.

This time last year, many of us will not have heard of Captain Tom. In fact, many of us may have been aware, but I might venture to say not fully appreciating the many heroes who everyday carry out jobs that keep us safe and healthy and allow us to go about our lives.

I think Captain Tom 's greatest impact will be the fact he made us realise the incredible efforts of our NHS. I also feel his efforts will make us appreciate their presence more in years to come. I think we have begun to realise that so many people have just gone about their jobs and made life better for us.

Shop workers, delivery drivers, bin lorry crews, engineers maintaining our utilities, and our WiFi (!), along with public transport teams, our teachers and school staff and of course all our emergency services. We must appreciate all these people. Of course, I will have forgotten someone, that 's just it, we sometimes don 't see or appreciate their work, but we would be lost without it!

This morning on the radio I heard an interview where someone compared Covid to an expression used with both World Wars. I needed a moment to work this out, but their explanation was thought provoking. “It 'll all be over by Christmas; we 'll defeat the enemy and life will get back to normal ” The rest of course as some would say “is history ”.

Covid entered our world early last year. It was indeed an enemy. Monumental efforts have been made to defeat it, but there are still many fronts on which we are in combat. Our heroes will continue their work, but WE have a huge responsibility to do the right thing and make whatever contribution we can.

Remember and appreciate our heroes - some you can see, some you cannot - we 'd be lost without them.