Special packs of essential items for patients and staff on the frontline were delivered to hospitals across the county yesterday. The packs – donated by and made up of goods from retailer Primark – included toiletries, pyjamas, underwear and towels.
The delivery was organised by a multi-agency partnership team working to support frontline workers and patients, including Cumbria County Council, both of the county’s NHS trusts, Story Contracting and Cumbria Police.
In total, more than 120 patient packs and 80 staff packs were delivered in the North and West of the county by volunteer drivers from Story Contracting, to hospitals and care settings in Cockermouth, Keswick and Workington, as well as the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and the West Cumberland Infirmary in Whitehaven.
A further 120 staff packs were delivered to NHS staff in the south of the county by Cumbria Police.
Cllr Deborah Earl, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet member for Local Communities, said: “This is another fantastic example of strong collaborative working and communication between several agencies. The packs will be warmly appreciated and put to good use by those that need them. I’d like to thank everyone involved, and in particular the voluntary drivers for giving up their time to ensure our incredible NHS staff and the people they are caring for have the items they need. Thanks also to Primark for their generosity.”