THE Sun’s Helping Hand Heroes are coming to the aid of struggling NHS workers.
A fleet of 11 luxury tour buses have been offered by trucking boss Ed Thomson to help hospital staff on breaks.
Thousands of caring readers have joined A Journalist’s Helping Hand Heroes campaign and carried out acts of kindness despite the bug crisis
Ed’s Vans for Bands usually ferries groups such as Elbow and Primal Scream to concerts around the country.
But after all tours were cancelled, Ed, 45, from Oxford, wants hospitals to use the 16-bed buses as luxury accommodation for tired staff.
He said: “All the buses are sitting doing nothing. I really hope some hospitals take us up on this — free of charge.”
His firm also has 41 vans it wants to help deliver food or be used as NHS staff taxis.
Andrew Hart, boss of Bite Me Burger, in Chalk Farm, North London, has been making free burgers with charity Lenderhand for staff at the Royal Free Hospital, UCH and Charing Cross Hospital.
Ruth Panter donated £100 to Kettering General Hospital, Northants, where nurses have appealed for walkie-talkies and baby monitors to help staff communicate.
Fiona Ladipo is buying wellington boots for her sister who works in the intensive care unit at Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, North London, because the NHS cannot supply them quickly enough.
Student Jamie Harkin, 18, has been giving away free calendars with uplifting messages to cheer up NHS staff and care workers in Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland.
Pario Leisure has handed 250 beds at two of its holiday parks in North Wales to struggling NHS staff.
Tan Rallt Holiday Home Park and Spa, in Abergele, and Marine Holiday Park, in Rhyl, are both very close to Glan Clwyd Hospital, where staff are coping with a surge in coronavirus cases.
Park owner Wyn Williams and his family handed over the use of the rooms in lodges and caravans free of charge to the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board, which runs the hospital.
- Calling all Helping Hands Heroes — tell us how you are helping out in the coronavirus crisis. Email [email protected]. And if you are in the NHS and in need help, let us know.
