Bake Off host Matt Lucas backs The Sun’s Jabs Army campaign to get Britain vaccinated & beat Covid
BAKE Off star Matt Lucas is among a host of big names hailing The Sun’s Jabs Army campaign in the battle to halt Covid deaths.
Comedian Matt is backing our drive to recruit 50,000 volunteers to work as unpaid stewards at hundreds of vaccination centres throughout the UK.
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He urged more readers to join over 3,000 who have already signed up to help in the vaccine roll-out.
Matt said: “I’m supporting this campaign because the NHS is overwhelmed. We have vaccines but we need help to get them to people.”
The Sun has joined forces with the NHS and the Royal Voluntary Service to urge readers to help out at pop-up vaccination centres across the UK.
Stewards will guide people on site to make sure the process runs safely and efficiently.
You only need to commit to two six-hour shifts per month at a vaccination service near you and no prior experience or qualifications are needed.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson last night sent a message to his 3.2 million followers on Twitter praising The Sun drive.
He said: “The Sun’s campaign to help our NHS to roll out the UK vaccination programme as fast as possible is a fantastic initiative. The British public volunteered in droves to support the NHS last year and I have no doubt they will be determined to help again.”
Strictly’s chief judge Shirley Ballas was dancing for joy at our plan to recruit Sun readers to help out in the biggest-ever operation in peacetime.
Shirley said: “I fully support The Sun’s Jabs Army campaign and urge everyone who can to sign up and volunteer so that we can quickly vaccinate as many people as possible.”
Strictly co-star Claudia Winkleman added: “2020 was a pretty rubbish year for everyone — let’s ensure 2021 is so much better. By helping the NHS with this incredible roll-out, we can get the country up and running again — and look after the most vulnerable.”
TV adventurer Bear Grylls announced he was signing up as a volunteer steward at a vaccination centre. In his role as Chief Scout, and writing in The Sun, he urged Britain’s former Scouts to become part of the Jabs Army.
Meanwhile, TV presenter Eamonn Holmes said: “The whole country needs a shot in the arm and the vaccination is it.
“I want the freedom and peace of mind it brings. I’m fed up living in fear. The sooner and faster we get this vaccine to people, the better for all of us.”
His wife Ruth Langsford added: “I’ve seen diseases eliminated in my lifetime because of vaccinations. Wherever there is a queue for the jab, I’ll join it because I want my life back. So let’s make those queues faster and shorter, to make all our lives better.”
Wherever there is a queue for the jab, I’ll join it because I want my life back.
Ruth Langsford
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay spoke for all businesses hit by Covid when he said: “The sooner we can get people vaccinated, the sooner we can end tier life and get some much-needed normality back.
“Let’s join together and all do what we can to get the nation moving once again, by supporting the NHS and this great campaign”
TV quiz host Anne Robinson added: “We need to get as many people jabbed as possible — don’t be the weakest link; help out, and support our NHS.”
You will then receive an email with log-in details to sign up online.
Finally, you will be asked to download the GoodSAM app on a smartphone which will match you to a role in your area.
Services will be opening in the coming days and weeks, with different areas up and running at different times, so you might not be required on site for some weeks. Not everyone who signs up will need to be called upon.
You need to commit to only two six-hour shifts a month at a vaccination service, and no prior experience or qualifications are required.
You will work as part of a team that will include NHS staff and volunteers. The Royal Voluntary Service will conduct appropriate background checks.
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Lieutenant General Tyrone Urch, who led the military’s response to the pandemic, said: “I would urge the nation to join us and volunteer their services for this campaign, which will support in combating the virus and help us work towards a new normal.”
Tory, Labour and Lib Dem politicians put aside party squabbling to back us.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “The British people have shown their incredible strength and generosity throughout this pandemic.
“This important campaign is another chance for all of us to do our bit to support the vaccine effort and defeat this virus.”
Tory MP Jeremy Hunt, former Health Secretary and current chairman of the health select committee, also backed it.
He said: “It’s all hands on deck in a deadly race against the new strain which really could overwhelm the NHS — so please join this terrific national effort if you can.”
This important campaign is another chance for all of us to do our bit to support the vaccine effort and defeat this virus
Sir Keir Starmer
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said: “This is a brilliant initiative from The Sun to help with the vaccine roll-out.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “The selflessness and generosity of Londoners in the face of the pandemic has been proven beyond all doubt over the last year.
“That’s why I’m confident that many will rise to the occasion once again to join The Sun’s Jabs Army, a campaign I am pleased to support.”
One of the first to sign up
DAD Anthony Easton was one of the first to sign up for our Jabs Army.
Anthony, 55, has been a Covid volunteer since March after he was furloughed from his job at Plymouth University.
He said: “I’ve done over 1,000 alerts, getting shopping and collecting prescriptions for people shielding.”
He will now work at a vaccination centre. He said: “I went for it straight away to help people get their lives back on track and back to normality.”
'I'm just delighted'
STORE worker Liz Parry signed up to join the Jabs Army when she saw our call for 50,000 volunteers.
Liz, 43, put her name down as a Volunteer Steward at a vaccination centre near her Chester home.
She said: “I know people who have been shielding since March and are desperate to have the vaccine.
“I’ll be the lowest ranking person working at the vaccine centre. I don’t mind starting at the bottom. I’m just delighted.”
A SCOUT’S HONOUR
By TV's Bear Grylls
"WITHIN days, Britain’s Covid death toll will reach 75,000. That’s a terrifying number.
"As you read this, I have a great friend fighting for her life on oxygen in a Covid ward. What would we all give to help prevent even more people dying from coronavirus? What would we all give for normal life to return?
"Well, you can — volunteering just six hours of your time, twice a month will change society right now and help us all return to doing the things we love.
"I am backing The Sun’s Jabs Army campaign to recruit 50,000 volunteers to help out as stewards at vaccination centres. And I hope to encourage all adults to get involved.
"But I am specifically asking those of you who were Scouts in your youth to be part of this vital work to help the UK population get vaccinated.
What if I told you that YOU can do something right now that will change the world in which we live?
Bear Grylls
"I know there have been literally millions of young people who have benefited from the Scouts and now is a great time to honour our Scout promise to help others.
"It is easy to join — just put your name forward using the Royal Volunteer Service link on this page. I have been so honoured to have been Chief Scout since 2009 and to have become the first Chief Ambassador to the incredible World Scout Organisation.
When we volunteer it increases our self-confidence, sense of pride and identity.
Bear Grylls
"These roles have shown me first-hand the power of volunteering and how it changes society for the better.
"I have never met a volunteer who resents giving up their time to help and inspire others. They learn something that is often forgotten — that volunteering works both ways.
"There’s also overwhelming evidence that volunteering helps fight stress and anxiety, which so many of us are prone to, especially during the pandemic.
"But there are also some more surprising benefits.
"Researchers at the London School of Economics found weekly volunteering led to the same boost in happiness and wellbeing as a pay rise of up to £55,000.
"Jabs Army works on the basis of a lot of people doing a little.
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"We can all find a little bit of time in our schedule to dedicate to others. I am going to sign up — will you? Together we will be part of making the world a lot better in 2021."
- Sign up at
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