Preston group show their humanity in donation to front line workers

And throughout lockdown, they were serving more than 50 homemade meals a day, 7 days a week for people in need – over 350 hot meals a week.

On Friday, September 4, the charitable group donated hot meals to NHS staff working at Royal Preston Hospital, across the children’s ward, the coronary care ward and to the North West Ambulance Service on Blackpool Road.

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the team have worked hard to deliver over 100 care packages a week for families in need, which include store cupboard essentials such a bread, milk, pasta, tinned food and vegetables, tailored for each family's needs.

The team of more than 30 volunteers have continuously provided NHS staff with hot meals at Preston hospital to thank them for their service in the pandemic.

Ruby Abram, 53, got involved with the group after seeing their efforts shared on Facebook and deciding she wanted to lend a hand and help her community.

She said: "I saw on Facebook that the group was feeding their neighbours and helping the more vulnerable or isolating members of society. I knew straight away that I wanted to help and before I knew it I was delivering hot meals, it just grew from there really.

"It is really important to me to thank the front line workers for what they've done throughout this pandemic. They are always really grateful for the hot food we donate which is very touching.

"The hot meals had been cooked by volunteer chefs at the Dog and Partridge pub which we then delivered to the reception at the hospital before the nurses came and collected it. We also had cakes donated by Jenny's Cakes and Bakes. It was all purely started to help out with people working hard and struggling through Covid-19."

Nicola Entwistle, Acting Matron Children and Young People at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Acts of kindness such as this one from Preston’s Here For Humanity group have a massive impact on our hard-working staff.

'For them to be able to enjoy a delicious homemade meal during a busy shift makes all the difference, and for us still to be receiving such amazing donations from the community is incredible. On behalf of the staff on our Children’s Unit, I’d like to say a huge thank you to Here For Humanity - you are wonderful.”

Chris Murray, 32, first set up the community group after he was forced to leave his construction job and close his business at the start of the lockdown.

It began with helping his isolating neighbours, before the word spread across social media and began serving up to 50 hot meals to neighbours and shielding members of society.

He previously told the Post that due to large demand, he began supplying food to the homeless staying at the Purple Roomz hotel, Bamber Bridge and has now kickstarted a food bank providing vital supplies to people living in Ingol.

To help contribute to their efforts, the group are asking for donations through their Go Fund Me page - and are close to hitting their £2,000 target.

Check out the 'Here For Humanity' page at gf.me/u/yj5an5