'Not a single jab wasted': Volunteers clear snow outside Sheffield vaccine centre

St Columba's Church in Crosspool has been temporarily transformed into a vaccine hub to help with the roll-out of the potentially life-saving injection across the city.

Almost 1,000 of Sheffield’s most vulnerable people received their jab in the first three days of operating, with more than 300 Pfizer doses given at the church daily.

Snow and ice has done nothing to slow things down, either.

Church reader Steve Ellis said: “There were about 100 people who didn’t turn up on Thursday but we pulled in frontline workers from care homes and one or two police officers.

"The clinical director Tom McAnea was standing there with one needle left in his hand saying ‘You must find someone who I can give this to.”

He added: “We haven’t wasted one [dose].”

Seven selfless volunteers braved the freezing conditions to clear nearby pavements from 6.30am on Friday morning and make sure patients as old as 100 can arrive safely.

"The 100-year-old was more mobile than some of the younger ones,” Steve joked.

He added: “The contracted council staff have been excellent and the doctors have been excellent – and of course the volunteers have been brilliant.

Dr McAnea, a GP, is balancing his regular responsibilities alongside work administering the vaccination. Also playing a key role is Brenda Nelson, church warden and recently retired nurse.

Steve added: "We have been working and preparing for this since before Christmas.

"Myself, Brenda and some others have been in church most days planning how we do this.”