Storm Arwen Community Hero
1835. Nicola Sedgwick
Nicola Sedgwick, from Aberdeenshire, rose to the challenges of Storm Arwen, which badly affected her local community in November 2021 and left thousands of people without energy.
Nicola used her shop as a community hub and provided hot meals to those who were without power for three days. Nicola self-funded and delivered meals to households in neighbouring villages and in remote locations, travelling in treacherous conditions to ensure those who were vulnerable were looked after.
In a personal letter to Nicola, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“True Points of Light in our communities are people who step up and help others in their moment of need.
“So I was inspired to hear from your local MP, Andrew Bowie, about the fantastic role you played in serving your community during Storm Arwen. By creating a hub for your local community to coordinate the response to the storm and distribute hot meals, often travelling in adverse weather conditions, you performed an astoundingly selfless act.”
Andrew Bowie, MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, said:
“Storm Arwen left thousands of people without electricity, network coverage and in some cases water for several days. In the aftermath of the initial storm Nicola’s actions in supporting the community were incredible, delivering hot meals and provisions to many local residents stranded in hard to reach places, and utilising her own business as a hub to provide support and a point of contact for those in need. It was a shining example of self-sacrifice often putting her own safety at risk to help others. I am delighted that Nicola has received such high recognition for her actions, it’s thoroughly deserved.”
Nicola said:
“I am very honoured to have been nominated and then awarded a Points of Light award for my efforts during Storm Arwen. This was a very difficult time for many of the residents in our small rural community. Mostly I delivered hot food to those who had no communication, heating, lighting, means of cooking, or able to travel to food vans and for others they were happy and grateful to see someone and have an update on what was happening.
“Although I have been awarded this award I accept it on behalf of our other community members that supported me and helped during the aftermath of the storm.”