AFTER a few months in lockdown, we have relaunched our Bouquet of the Week feature and today the recipient is Joe Zafarani, of Big Kids Little Kids Nursery in Darlington.

Mr Zafarani was nominated by staff member Laura Cooper.

Miss Cooper, who has worked for Mr Zafarani for 15 years, said: “Joe is brilliant. He helped us all at the start of lockdown, in fact even before it began. Because he is Iranian he could see what was happening with family and friends in Iran, before the virus really reached us here.

“He gave us tips on how to stay healthy. He gave all us staff members, that is 17 of us, including those who were furloughed, care packages which contained toilet rolls, pasta, masks, long-life milk and bread.

“I don’t think we appreciated at that point how serious it was going to get, but Joe was making sure we were ready and had some supplies. He refused to take any payment. He even helped me out with washing powder, because every time staff were able to get to the shops in the early days of lockdown, there was nothing left on the shelves.

“He helped with our mental health and even brought hot food to our doorsteps. He took some of the worry away. We are a real family and Joe looks after us all. He’s amazing.”

If you would like to nominate a special person or group for The Northern Echo’s Bouquet of the Week then please get in touch. You can send your nominations via our website at www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/bouquet, making sure to include your contact details.

The flowers are kindly provided by the team at Heavenly Scent Florist, Bondgate, Darlington, 01325-389933.