The first meal distribution for ‘Support the Frontline’ has been a storming success, with more than 100 meals given out to NHS frontline staff as they finished 12-hour shifts at St Mary’s Hospital.
The new Support the Frontline campaign is a way that the Island community can give a little practical support, and perhaps even more importantly, a morale boost to NHS staff who have worked so hard throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Organisers Andrew Palmer and Robin Courage took the first shift with the team, handing out free, pre-cooked food from a refrigerated trailer from 19:30 on Wednesday as staff headed home. With a choice of 4 nutritious dishes, all lovingly prepared by the chefs at the Garlic Farm and Bembridge Sailing Club, the meals proved popular with hungry NHS workers.
Andrew said:
“The reception we got was great. Doctors and nurses alike appreciated the gesture and said it would be a welcome treat to get home and heat up a nice meal rather than having to cook from scratch. Many of them said that they would be passing the word around, so we will need to build up our daily supply of meals.”
Robin added:
“We have been really thrilled with how much support we’ve already received from local businesses, and we can report back that all the work and organisation to get to this stage has really been worth it. Staff were pleased to receive the food, but even more touched by the sentiments behind it. One nurse told me that she lived alone and knowing that Islanders she had never met appreciated the long hours she’s put in over the last year really made it all worthwhile. People are being generous, but we do need to raise funds to keep the campaign going.”
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An Isle of Wight NHS Trust spokesman said:
“A huge thank you to everyone involved in the Support the Frontline initiative that is bringing a smile and delicious meals to our dedicated staff to enjoy at home. Our Trust is still responding to the impact of the pandemic, one year on and this generosity is a wonderful boost.”
The Campaign is now raising the funds needed to purchase ingredients and packaging for the local chefs and kitchens who are donating their time, facilities, and inspiration. You can find out more about the campaign and make a donation at www.supportthefrontline.info.
And all the while, the other frontline workers, get nothing apart from criticism.
frontline ferry workers continually insulted on these comment boards, just for doing their jobs when they are not responsible for who travels and insulted by customers because they have to queue and wait longer.
frontline shop workers insulted in stores because goods aren’t on the shelves.
frontline post workers insulted because the post is late, due to staff illness.
endless fawning over health care workers is getting about as tedious as listening to all those unaffected benefit
claimants getting free charity food, despite nothing changing for them.
I don’t think even other frontline workers would compare themselves to NHS staff that have to watch people die in front of then day after day (even more so in the big regional mainland hospitals), and work overtime because colleagues are sick, and have to listen to people who say it’s no worse than the flu and other idiot comments.. Other front line workers are putting themselves at risk to keep things going, which I commend but don’t think they’re under such pressure as NHS staff. All this should be obvious to almost anyone..
100 free meals WOW the catering team at the hospital has been supplying all NHS staff free meals all the way through the pandemic well done to them for supporting their colleagues
Pity the bloody government didn’t support front line staff more than the 1% increase in wages ,, hope that makes the council feel robbing b star ds for insulting us with 5 % council tax increases .
these figures just don’t tally
Well done Robin and Andrew, I’m sure the exhausted NHS staff really appreciated your kind efforts.