Two key workers who have made a huge sacrifice by not seeing their son have been captured in poignant photographs.
AdvertisementCharlotte and Daniel were snapped by their neighbour, with full permission and at a distance of 3-metres, Peter Austin.
Mr Austin, a photographer in Kirkham, wanted to capture what the couple had been going through.
Charlotte, who works as a care quality nurse for a company who run seven nursing homes, and her husband Daniel who works as a data analyst were both classed as essential workers and have no choice but to go to work.
Read more: Kind-hearted family creating remembrance wood for grieving Preston families
With a number of confirmed Covid-19 cases at the care homes where Charlotte works they took the difficult decision to leave their son to be cared for by Charlotte’s parents.
Mr Austin said: “Having seen them come round to visit their son a few times I felt it important that this special time be captured and remembered. Seeing them talking, blowing kisses, playing peek-a-boo and laughing through a pane of glass is both beautiful and heart wrenching. Not all eyes are dry when it is time to part.
“This situation and choice has not been easy but people like Charlotte are putting the lives and safety of both their residents and colleagues first; before themselves and their own families. I wanted for them to have something to remember this time and be able to explain to their son in the future just what happened and how much they loved him.
“I asked them if they would like their next visit photographed and I would capture a porch portrait of the moment they arrived, were together and started to part.
“It is such an intimate time with anticipation, recognition, jubilation and filled with love, affection and happiness. All this on a near silent street.
“Here are some of the photographs of this special time and shares the importance that we all do our bit in this important time. I am truly grateful for all of the front line workers for everything they are doing and the sacrifices they are making for the rest of us.
“During the entire time I was taking photographs social distancing was observed (around 3m away at the closest) at all times. Using a 70mm-200mm lens allowed me to stay distant but still capture the story of their visit.”
Read more: Scarecrow trail pays tribute to key workers in Preston and South Ribble
You can see the full set of pictures on Peter Austin’s blog.
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines