Drighlington couple walk eight miles in snow and ice to receive last minute Covid vaccination after cancellations

A couple from Leeds took on an eight mile round-trip in the snow after being offered a last minute coronavirus vaccination.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Adrienne and David Lambert, aged 71 and 76, had been out walking in their local area of Drighlington on Thursday, January 14 when they decided to phone a friend who was due to have the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccination that day.

After their friend informed them that they had postponed their vaccination because of the wintry weather conditions, the quick thinking couple called their GP surgery to see if there were any spaces available.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The doctor confirmed that there was space for them so the couple continued their four mile journey to Churwell, Morley.

Adrienne and David Lambert, aged 71 and 76, walked eight miles from Drighlington to Morley in the snow to receive their Covid-19 vaccinations.Adrienne and David Lambert, aged 71 and 76, walked eight miles from Drighlington to Morley in the snow to receive their Covid-19 vaccinations.
Adrienne and David Lambert, aged 71 and 76, walked eight miles from Drighlington to Morley in the snow to receive their Covid-19 vaccinations.

Son Daniel Lambert, 44, from Calverley, said: "They were out having a snowy walk and decided to ring some friends who were supposed to get their vaccine to see how they were getting on.

"After the call it just dawned on them that a lot of other people would have cancelled too because they didn't want to risk going out in the weather.

"By the time they'd called the GP they were almost half way to the medical centre anyway so they thought they might as well just extended their daily walk that bit further.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"They are quite active people and usually love walking in the Dales, but recently they have just been doing a couple of laps around the area to keep fit.

"After they'd received their vaccination, they started on the journey back. They didn't get back until about 5 o'clock and it was pitch black.

"In total it was an eight mile round trip and they were pretty cold and exhausted by the time they got home."

Electrician Daniel, who is dad to Darcy, six, and Alfie, three, added: "When I rang them the next day and they told us what had happened, I asked them how they were feeling and my mum said her calves ached a lot more than her arm.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We are all so happy they were able to have their vaccinations and hopefully it will lead to things becoming more normal again soon.

"My children love their grandparents so much so it will be great when they can spend time with them again.

"By pushing themselves that bit further they were able to receive a vaccine that otherwise could have gone to waste.

"As a family we are incredibly proud of their determination and positive attitude."

Related topics:

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.