Watch Stenhousemuir shop get a round of applause from emergency staff

A village store has become such a vital part of the community it actually received its very own salute from emergency services staff on a night normally devoted to clapping for carers.
By James Trimble
Published 23rd Apr 2020, 16:45 BST
Updated 24th Apr 2020, 13:42 BST
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The Day Today Express, in Alloa Road, Stenhousemuir, was a popular business before the coronavirus crisis, gaining fame for stockpiling original Irn Bru for its customers two years ago, but now it has become almost as important as the keyworkers who receive the nation’s applause every week.

Due to shop’s status as a vital location in the community it recently received a defibrillator from Friends of Forth Valley First Responders and then last night it got a visit from police and ambulance staff.

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Owner Jawad Javed, who runs the store with wife Asiyah, said: “We thought they were here to give us training on the defibrillator. Then they started applauding us. Since the lockdown we have become an important part of the community and we do our best to help and support people.

Day Today Express shop owners Jawad Javed and Asiyah Javed with children Salman (14), Maryam (11) and Rayyan (5), along with staff join Martin Stuart, Friends of Forth Valley First Responders, Rod Moore, Scottish Ambulance Service, Gordon Smith, area service manager Scottish Ambulance Service and Friends of Forth Valley First Responders, Richard McLennan, Falkirk Safebase and PC Peter Dunlop.Day Today Express shop owners Jawad Javed and Asiyah Javed with children Salman (14), Maryam (11) and Rayyan (5), along with staff join Martin Stuart, Friends of Forth Valley First Responders, Rod Moore, Scottish Ambulance Service, Gordon Smith, area service manager Scottish Ambulance Service and Friends of Forth Valley First Responders, Richard McLennan, Falkirk Safebase and PC Peter Dunlop.
Day Today Express shop owners Jawad Javed and Asiyah Javed with children Salman (14), Maryam (11) and Rayyan (5), along with staff join Martin Stuart, Friends of Forth Valley First Responders, Rod Moore, Scottish Ambulance Service, Gordon Smith, area service manager Scottish Ambulance Service and Friends of Forth Valley First Responders, Richard McLennan, Falkirk Safebase and PC Peter Dunlop.

“We really feel like we have achieved something, but it’s only due to the people in the community who are very supportive of us and appreciate what we do.”

Jawad said the Day Today Express would continue to go that extra mile for its customers for however long the cornoavirus lockdown continues.

Last month the shop made up free “goody bags” for elderly people, containing a facemask, antibacterial hand gel and cleaning wipes which they then delivered to customers who were unable to collect them in person at the shop.

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At the tim Asiyah said: “I was out, and I met an old woman, she was crying because she had been to the supermarket and there was no hand wash. I feel it is not fair on elderly people, some can’t get out the house.

“Some people are asking for them to be delivered as they’re old, or disabled, or don’t drive. We are just trying to help. I started stockpiling hand gel when I heard about coronavirus. Other shopkeepers are buying them to sell, we are buying them to give away.”

The shop has a history of helping people when times are hard – Jawad and Asiyah delivered milk free of charge to elderly people during the horrendous Beast from the East conditions of 2018.