Local volunteers support hospital staff once again!

Following the completion of a successful initiative to assemble protective visors for frontline hospital workers during the Covid-19 outbreak, volunteers were engaged a second time in another helpful project.

Hamilton Davies Trust (HDT) were contacted by Tammy Pike from the Northern Care Alliance to ask if HDT could help with labelling bags needed for Covid-19 hospital patient’s personal belongings. All 60 volunteers from the previous project, coordinated by Dave Pike and HDT’s Operations Manager Tony Prescott, were immediately contacted to see if they could help.

Tony said: “We are extremely grateful to the kind volunteers, for giving their time once again. HDT also wish to thank TalkTalk for allowing us to use an area of their building in Irlam for a second time. The space the building provides is perfect for ensuring the implementation of social distancing measures, allowing volunteers to contribute safely.”

Working over three days, ten volunteers worked each 2hr shift,for three shifts a day in order to complete the 15,000 bags required for patients who are currently in hospitals across Manchester and for those families whose loved ones have sadly passed away. Seeing so many bags laid out was particularly moving and quite daunting for the volunteers and HDT are very proud of each and every single one of them for helping out with this very important task.

The labelled bags have been now been delivered to the Northern Care alliance (NCA).  Louise Simpson, NCA Group Senior Nurse, who is responsible for the bags, said: “I wish to say a massive thank you to every single volunteer. I would never have been able to sort out this much-needed item without your help and that of external organisations that supported us too. Your time and dedication to this project cannot be underestimated and the NCA staff are hugely appreciative.”

HDT would also like to thank local business Kingsland for donating boxes and tape for the completed bags, as well as tea, coffee and biscuits. With local business ‘Cakes by P’ also donating cakes the volunteers were well and truly fed and watered. The way that local people, businesses and organisations have pulled together in a time of need is both heart-warming and admirable.

Well done to all involved…your kindness is much appreciated.

Keep up the great work everyone!

Posted on: 4th May 2020