A local shopkeeper who balances serving his village whilst also working as a senior nurse at Withybush Hospital has been hailed a ‘community champion’ and ‘NHS hero’ by local residents.

Paul Parkinson who runs Penally Village Shop whilst also working on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19 has been nominated by villager Dave Laming, who contacted radio and TV presenter Nick Ferrari last week who hosts the weekday breakfast show on LBC to tell him all about Pembrokeshire’s very own NHS Hero.

When taking this photo of Paul at the shop, Dave said: “Believe it or not he was on his way to Withybush to start another twelve hour shift from 10 am having completed one at 7 pm the previous night, having opened the shop this morning. Words fail me!”

“Paul has a sign on his Penally store which reads ‘At the heart of the Community’ - and he more than meets that boast!

“He opens the village store early each morning and ensures the self-isolating and vulnerable villagers orders are put together after dashing out to local supermarkets for the odds and ends he can’t supply.

“When necessary Paul hands over the running of the shop to his son Jack, while he drives off to Withybush Hospital to complete a twelve hour shift where he serves as a senior rapid response nurse.

“It’s little wonder Nick Ferrari the LBC early morning breakfast show presenter selected Paul as last Friday’s NHS Hero,” added Dave.

County councillor Jon Preston who represents the Penally ward on Pembrokeshire County Council was also full of praise for Paul.

“Having only recently re-opened the village shop prior to lockdown Paul and his family have already proved to be an invaluable part of the local Covid-19 support network, providing a free local delivery service and stocking freshly baked bread from our very own Paddock bakery and stocking all the essential items any household may need during the current lockdown,” he said.

“On top of this Paul has been working on the frontline as an NHS Nurse in the fight against the corona virus working incredibly long shifts and undoubtedly saving lives. The Covid-19 situation has shown us how important our local shops are.

“I hope we will all continue to support our local businesses when this is all over just as Paul has been there for us during this crisis,” he added.