Words by Smiley Team
As the frontline heroes of the pandemic, NHS staff have been working tirelessly to save lives and help people recover from Covid-19, on top of their usual workload. In a positive step to support their hard work, the John Lewis Partnership is donating hundreds of care parcels to those working in the most intense conditions.
Following advice from their partners at the British Medical Association (BMA), the retailer has sent nearly 500 boxes to acute hospital trusts in the UK. The trusts will safely distribute the boxes to high-intensity service areas such as Critical Care and Intensive Care units.
BMA chair of council Dr Chaand Nagpaul said: “When so many healthcare staff have put in hour after hour over such a prolonged period and are continuing to do so - looking after so many very sick patients, a deed such as this, to show how much they are appreciated, will certainly bring a little light relief.”
Based on recommendations from the BMA, each parcel contains non-clinical essentials like deodorant, socks, shaving foam, hand cream and lip balm; as well as snacks, tea and coffee. The BMA also enclosed a leaflet to inform frontline workers about helplines and advice to support their well-being.
This latest delivery of parcels brings their total contribution to almost 2,000 boxes sent to over 500 Hospital Trusts, including mental health trusts.
Leading the initiative was partner and director of sustainability and ethics at the John Lewis Partnership, Marija Rompani, who said: “We are extremely grateful for the courage and humanity of everyone in the NHS working tirelessly to fight this virus - from intensive care to mental health. We are exceptionally lucky to have an amazing health service open to all and this is a small token to show our thanks again for their relentless hard work.”
The care parcels make up just one of a number of initiatives from the John Lewis Partnership to support the NHS throughout the pandemic. Waitrose staff gave NHS workers priority while shopping, the partnership donated thousands of food items, hot meals and essentials like pillows and phone chargers to local hospitals. They also donated shop spaces to use as vaccination centres and reopened their textiles factory in Lancashire to manufacture protective gowns for health workers.
The chain of clothing and food stores is only one of many companies stepping up to help in the struggle against Covid-19. Other businesses are assisting by offering their service for free or donating to charities working to support people who are struggling financially or vulnerable to the virus.
Any businesses that have survived or even profited throughout the pandemic can also make a difference by aiding the teams of people across the country working hard to stop Covid-19 and lessen its toll.
