UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / December 16, 2020 / Dan Armstrong, administrator of the Spotted:Crawley Facebook page, has been crowned Sussex’s Lockdown Legend after receiving an incredible 81% of votes from the public.

Organised by No One, a new top-secret Sussex service set to be unveiled in the new year, the Lockdown Legend campaign celebrated the many acts of kindness and community spirit demonstrated throughout the pandemic. No One called out to find people accross the county that stepped up and went that extra mile to truly ‘love thy neighbour’.

After receiving some amazing nominations from Sussex residents, the team at No One picked three finalists: Jacqueline Heap from Crowborough, East Sussex who, despite being furloughed and having to shield, took it upon herself to volunteer to make scrubs for the NHS from scratch; Philip Reece and Ian Wilson, who run the Queen Vic pub in Rottingdean village who established a helpline (that they funded) manned by a team of volunteers, as well as a not-for-profit ‘meals on wheels’ service, which delivered to anyone who was isolating; and Dan Armstrong who runs the Spotted:Crawley Facebook page who, throughout lockdown, organised numerous donations of food parcels for the vulnerable, ran appeals for school uniforms and helped everyone in Crawley who asked for his assistance. He also organised deliveries throughout lockdown and raised funds for charity.

The final three were put forward to public vote to establish who should be crowned the winner. Dan Armstrong was the clear favourite though, receiving an astonishing 656 votes out of 803. He was rewarded with a giant hamper of prizes including Christmas food and drink treats, high-street store vouchers, and restaurant/dining vouchers.

On being crowned the winner, Dan said: “I was shocked to see the results as the other two finalists have done amazing things during lockdown and beyond. I'm delighted to win and thank the amazing community members who nominated me and also for voting for me. 2020 has shown us all that communities are at the very root of our lives and are so important and capable of great things when people work together! That's a positive I will be taking from this year.”

A spokesperson for No One, added: “A huge congratulations to our Lockdown Legend Dan and big thank you for all his hard work and generosity. Spreading so much love throughout his community and helping so many in need was not only a lovely outcome from the pandemic but epitomises the spirit of Christmas too.

“To everyone who was nominated, as well as our key workers, those on the frontline, and even those who went under the radar—thanks to your dedication, we have survived 2020 together and will come out of this pandemic with stronger and more caring communities because of your actions.”