A CHESTER-BORN NHS doctor who has gone the extra mile when treating coronavirus patients has been rewarded for his efforts by a city centre retailer.

More than 200 key workers were nominated for special recognition from their community in the competition, run by clothing retailer Barbour with support from CH1ChesterBID, with the chance to win a coat for life from the family-run Chester Barbour store.

Nominees included nurses, teachers, shop workers, milkmen, and a funeral director.

Chester-born Dr Will Orchard was nominated by his fiancé after the couple had to postpone their own wedding due to the outbreak.

Having himself displayed symptoms and recovering, Will went straight back to work caring for others as soon as it was safe to do so.

Before earning his degree in medicine, Dr Orchard went to the King's School Chester.

He is currently chief registrar on the intensive care ward at Reading Hospital. As a way of thanking essential workers, family-run Barbour Chester donated a wax coat and scarf and organised a social media competition with support from CH1ChesterBID.

The competition winner was chosen by a random number generator. Dr. Orchard’s lucky number (13!) was drawn on the same day as his first patient made a recovery from Covid-19.

Will had arranged for the patient’s dog to visit with him in the hospital garden to allow for a brief reunion. The patient hadn’t been outside for over a month and after six emotional weeks, it was a day of happy tears.

On finding out he was the winner of the Barbour wax coat, Will said: “Today has been the best day in a long time!

"I cried earlier with joy over my patient's recovery and again after finding out I had not only been nominated but also won this coat. Thank you so much for organising this competition, you made this key worker very happy indeed.”

The competition was facilitated by CH1ChesterBID as part of the #ChesterTogether campaign that is connecting businesses and locals to access services and supplies throughout lockdown and as restrictions lift.

To see all the city centre services listed on Chester’s Digital High Street Map, as well as competitions and activities taking place as part of the #ChesterTogether campaign, visit www.experiencechester.co.uk and follow @CH1ChesterBID on social media.