Portsmouth dinner lady featured on national billboard campaign 'proud' of colleagues

A CITY dinner lady whose picture is being broadcast across the UK as part of a campaign to thank key workers said she is 'proud' of her job and colleagues.
Kitchen manager Kathy King who is being featured on billboards across the UK as part of the #MyHeroes campaign. Picture: Portsmouth City CouncilKitchen manager Kathy King who is being featured on billboards across the UK as part of the #MyHeroes campaign. Picture: Portsmouth City Council
Kitchen manager Kathy King who is being featured on billboards across the UK as part of the #MyHeroes campaign. Picture: Portsmouth City Council

Kathy King, from Milton in Portsmouth, is one of hundreds of essential workers to be featured in the #MyHeroes drive, which is displaying their photos on billboards and digital posters in major cities including Cardiff, Liverpool and Glasgow.

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The 52-year-old who is usually the head of kitchen at Bramble Infant School in Southsea, is working from Arundel Court Primary Academy during the pandemic preparing meals for students and teachers, as well as pupils at other schools and children entitled to free meals at home.

Kathy King appearing on one of the #MyHeroes posters. Picture: DOOH.comKathy King appearing on one of the #MyHeroes posters. Picture: DOOH.com
Kathy King appearing on one of the #MyHeroes posters. Picture: DOOH.com
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She said: 'I had no idea my picture was being used at first, it was such a surprise.

'It's really nice that all key workers are being considered as everyone is doing such an amazing job. But it's not just about me, there are lots of key workers in the school working so hard. They all deserve our thanks.

'I'm proud of what we're doing and I'm proud of everyone coming in to work.'

Kathy, who has worked at Bramble Infant School for 15 years, and her colleagues are now preparing around 25 meals for students and teachers at Arundel Court every day as well as 50 packed lunches for other pupils. They also put together hampers to deliver to schools.

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The mum-of-three added: 'I have never had to work in circumstances like this and neither have my colleagues.

'The children have been great. They've been keeping their distance when they collect their food. I think they now understand what is going on.'

The #MyHeroes campaign has been co-ordinated by digital marketing company DOOH.com.

Andrew Phipps-Newman, chief executive of DOOH.com, said: 'We hope that seeing our collective gratitude, love and respect will lift the spirits of those in our lives who are having to carry on in the toughest of circumstances so that we can stay home and stay safe.'

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Residents can nominate key workers by tweeting a picture of them with the hashtag #MyHeroes.

Families of children entitled to free meals are urged to apply on the Portsmouth council website if they haven't already.

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