Scottish wholesaler Lomond has joined forces with a music industry tour manager to deliver food and drink to frontline NHS staff across Scotland as they work through the coronavirus pandemic.
The Help Our NHS group has been set-up by Ben Pomphrett, whose partner is an intensive care nurse currently working at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.
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Once he had the idea he got in touch with Barbara Henderson, who owns and runs Lomond, with her husband, Sam. “I called Barbara to ask if Lomond would be interested in helping and she said yes immediately,” explained Pomphrett.
Lomond, which operates out of premises at Port Dundas, already has infrastructure in place for delivering to hospitals, said Henderson: “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. As well has helping provide snacks to frontline NHS staff, we are also looking to deliver healthy meal options for those working in critical care units and have been in touch with our suppliers to invite them to donate everything from crisps, juice and sweet treats to other products such as ready meals and snacks that can be popped in the microwave.”
Pomphrett added: “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.”
Lomond, which also distributes product to convenience stores, has already donated the first product – 180 boxes of Loveheart Empire Biscuits – and will provide the logistics to deliver future food donations into 20 critical care units across Scotland.
