A MUSIC industry tour manager and a Glasgow-based food and drink wholesaler have joined forces to deliver food and drink to frontline NHS Scotland staff.
Ben Pomphrett, whose partner is an intensive care nurse currently working at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley, has launched the group Help Our NHS after reaching out to colleagues working in the music industry to support staff through these difficult and unprecedented times.
“Knowing the challenges facing NHS staff working in critical care units during normal times then hearing first-hand from my partner how things are now as they deal with the coronavirus, I thought that ensuring Scotland’s hardworking NHS staff get the food they need while they are caring for patients was a great way to show how much they are appreciated,” explained Pomphrett.
“With my own industry wiped out for the next few months I wanted to put that time to good use.”
Glasgow-based Ben, who has worked with performers including Liam Gallagher, Primal Scream and Biffy Clyro, called Barbara Henderson, who owns and runs Lomond – The Wholesale Food Co, with her husband, Sam.
He said: “Critical care nurses are now in full PPE [personal protective equipment) and can have limited time to prepare and eat on breaks, and often rely on snacks gifted by patients’ families but with those units now closed to visitors this is no longer happening.
“I called Barbara to ask if Lomond would be interested in helping and she said yes immediately.”
Lomond, which operates out of premises at Port Dundas, already has infrastructure in place for delivering to hospitals.
Henderson said: “Like other businesses during the coronavirus crisis we’ve had to adapt as our traditional ‘foodservice’ deliveries to outlets such as restaurants, sandwich bars and cafes has dropped off dramatically.
“However, as we have not stopped delivering to hospitals, we’re absolutely delighted to help Ben with Help Our NHS as it’s such a fantastic idea and we’re so glad he contacted us.”
Anyone wishing to donate food should contact helpournhs@gmail.com or via facebook.com/helpingournhs or twitter.com/helpingournhs. Suppliers can also email barbara@lomondfoods.co.uk.
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