Community
Mosque’s warm welcome delights Covid vaccinator
Freddie Fulton says he wanted to make 'a nice gesture of interfaith in what could be a conflicted time'
June 25, 2021 09:31
Freddie Fulton says he wanted to make 'a nice gesture of interfaith in what could be a conflicted time'
June 25, 2021 09:31A Jewish lawyer who has been volunteering as a vaccinator at a Covid jabs clinic within a Willesden mosque has spoken of the warm welcome he has received.
Since February, Freddie Fulton, 29, has volunteered at up to two sessions a week at the Central Mosque of Brent, initially as a steward and latterly as a vaccinator.
The North-West Londoner said he had signed up as “a nice gesture of interfaith in what could be a quite conflicted time”.
He had revealed his Jewish identity to organisers “fairly early on” and the response was hugely positive.
“The moment one of the organisers found out, he said: ‘Oh that’s great. I’m so glad we’ve got someone from the Jewish community volunteering here [and] this interfaith effort going on’.”
Mr Fulton extolled the virtues of people visiting “places of worship and communities they’re not part of” in the fight against intolerance.
“A lot of this mistrust stems from ignorance and that’s one of the reasons I enjoy being there and meeting people I wouldn’t normally meet.”
The Willesden clinic has been visited by Health Secretary Matt Hancock and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Mr Fulton’s sister Daisy has also popped in, Mr Fulton delivering her second jab using a spare dose at the end of the shift.
The moment was recorded on camera, making “a nice memory in unusual settings”.
He has struck up friendships with other volunteers and “would very much like to stay in touch after this all simmers down”.