CELEBRITY antiques dealer David Harper is to be the face of a new campaign to thank Barnard Castle’s unsung Covid-19 heroes and raise cash for charities.
The Barney Does It Best drive is the brainchild of businessman Peter Smith who wanted to find a way to thank the people who kept the town going during the most severe of the coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
The idea came to him when he decided to stand outside to clap for the binmen as they came to collect his rubbish.
He said: “I thought it would be nice to thank them with a card, but I thought there are so many people to thank.
“Frankly, we would have been in a lot of trouble without them going to work. They have kept us fed and watered.”
He approached Newcastle design company Hedley McEwan to come up with a logo to put on a card to thank those who kept working for the community throughout the pandemic.
He then approached various groups for their views and ideas.
Mr Smith, who found fame when he appeared on BBC’s Dragon’s Den to market his invention of the vegan cream liqueur Besos de Oro, said: “Everybody – The Meet, The Clique, two Rotary groups – and people from all corners said the logo should be the logo of Barnard Castle.”
The town’s television personality David Harper has also thrown his weight behind the idea.
Ms Smith said: “David Harper is the face of the campaign.
“Barnard Castle is an interesting place because we have had the visit by Dominic Cummings, who bears an uncanny resemblance to David Harper.
“David is nationally recognised and he is a perfect to head up the campaign.”
A range of merchandise featuring the logo, including T-shirts, stickers and baseball caps, has been produced with profits going to Barnard Castle Meet and The Clique charities.
The campaign will be launched with a stand at Barnard Castle Farmers’ Market on Saturday, August 1, during which Mr Harper will dress up as Dominic Cummings.
It is hoped that the launch will attract local and national television interest to further promote the town and help get the local economy back on track.
The launch will be followed with a roadshow that will take in Morrisons supermarket and the town’s cricket and rugby clubs, among others.
