Towie’s Bobby Norris revealed he was left feeling all emotional as he completed his first day as a volunteer vaccinator amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The reality star signed up to be a volunteer to help administer the Covid-19 vaccine as the vaccine rollout continues across the UK and, after completing his trainer, Bobby was given the green light to get started with his volunteering role.
Working alongside the St John Ambulance team, Bobby said he felt ‘honoured’ to be playing his part, as he documented his experience on Instagram.
Alongside a series of photos that saw him administering the vaccine to members of the public, Bobby wrote: ‘First day in my new role as a Volunteer Vaccinator.. 💚 What an honour to be working with the amazing @stjohn_ambulance team at the NHS COVID-19 vaccination centre, Newham.
‘I didn’t realise just how emotional it was going to be meeting people that are so happy to be getting their vaccinations. I’m so grateful to be playing my part in the roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines.’
As part of being a volunteer, Bobby was eligible to receive his first dose of the jab and told fans he feels ‘incredibly lucky’ to have been vaccinated.
He wrote: ‘I feel incredibly lucky to have had my first Covid-19 vaccination today & would like to thank all the wonderful NHS staff and St John’s Ambulance team for making it happen.’
Bobby first revealed his plans to volunteer as a vaccinator last month, where he explained that coming down with coronavirus himself had inspired him to help others during the ongoing pandemic.
He explained on social media: ‘Today I completed my training as a Covid-19 Volunteer Vaccinator. This pandemic has affected us all in one way or another and after contracting the virus myself over Christmas and finding out first hand just how awful it really is, I decided that once I was better I wanted to do whatever I could to help others.’
Bobby said: ‘I’m really looking forward to getting out there and doing my part in supporting the NHS in the rollout of the vaccine…’
He was praised by both fans and his celebrity pals, with one person crediting Bobby for setting a great example as a social media influencer as they commented: ‘The type of social media influencer I love… Great work Bobby xxx.’
It came as some influencers have faced backlash for continuing to travel amid the pandemic and claiming their trips overseas are for ‘work purposes’.
Love Island star Olivia Attwood was among those hitting out at her fellow influencers, with Bobby telling Metro.co.uk that he thinks that sharing content while abroad and restrictions are in place is ‘tone deaf’.
Current restrictions have banned international travel unless given a legally permitted reason to do so.
‘It’s really sad that we’re all getting tarred with the same brush, because the ones that have gone away have decided to. Ultimately they’ve made their decision. They’re adults, they’ve got on that plane and they’ve done what they’ve done,’ Bobby said.
‘I can see why people are angry. We’re all stuck here in the UK, it’s lockdown. I can see why people are going on Instagram and getting upset and angry that it looks like people are living their best lives with a pina colada at a beach club.’
He continued: ‘It’s completely tone deaf, in my opinion, to be posting some of the content I have seen. I just personally don’t feel, from the public, that there is any appetite to see people on the beach or having a lovely old time.’
Plenty of reality stars have been using their platform for good, however, as Dr Alex George has been working in A&E throughout the pandemic and is actively seen campaigning for mental health awareness in schools.
Love Island’s Anna Vakili, meanwhile, made the decision to return to work as a pharmacist when coronavirus first hit last year. She told fans: ‘Wasn’t really planning on registering yet but with everything that’s going on it felt wrong not to. We can all fight this together. Stay safe. Stay home. Save lives.’
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