FeedNHS has joined up with Mealforce, Feed our Frontline and BaxterStorey to co-ordinate the provision of food for critical care teams across the NHS.
From today, FeedNHS and its industry partners are going nationwide to help feed NHS teams across the country in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh, with ongoing discussions to expand to Manchester, Birmingham, Brighton and Cardiff.
Launched by actors Damian Lewis, Helen McCrory and Matt Lucas, and LEON Founder John Vincent, FeedNHS has reached £1m in the first two weeks of fundraising.
In addition to the money raised by FeedNHS, through the generous support of 24,000 members of the public, a number of individuals have contributed significant sums to boost the funds available. Meals are being served by LEON, BaxterStorey and by Mealforce, a group of businesses working with the charity NHS Helpforce. As a result, the coalition now has the scale to serve more than a million meals.
Working alongside LEON are a number of high street brands including Dishoom, Wasabi, Tortilla, Franco Manca,Farmer J and Wrap it Up.
This takes the number of meals served to 25,000 per day. By Monday, the coalition will be serving 55 hospitals.
The coalition has estimated that it will be able sustain this for the next six weeks, but more money is required in order to increase the number of meals served by an additional 15,000 and to extend provision beyond six weeks.
The coalition of leaders from the restaurant industry and from finance have been in constant contact to co-ordinate their efforts, and to match the meals available with the hospitals who have the greatest and most immediate need. By coming together the coalition has been able to pool its funding, co-ordinate engagement with the NHS Trusts, and share lessons on how best to work with and support the hospitals.
Carol Haraldsson, Head of Charitable Giving at UCLH NHS Trust Foundation said: “Many doctors and nurses in critical care units do not have time to leave wards to get a good meal. Support from the FeedNHS coalition and funding has made a massive difference to our frontline team at UCLH, helping to get meals to NHS staff that need them most.”
Damian Lewis said: “Thanks to the generosity of people at home and of businesses we have reached our initial target of £1million. Every day we learn how to better support the hospitals, but also how big the need is, so we are continuing to raise the money that is needed to serve meals to more of our frontline NHS workers.”
Ian Wace, of Mealforce said: “Our four organisations have come together to ensure we are able to respond swiftly and efficiently to the needs of doctors and nurses on the front line.”
John Vincent, CEO and Founder of LEON said: “I would like to thank our partners who now meet online daily and communicate constantly. Ian Wace from Mealforce, Alastair Storey and Noel Mahony from BaxterStorey, Brandon Stephens from Feed our Frontline and Kirsty Saddler from my own organisation, LEON. As well as Damian and Helen and Matt who have led the work of FeedNHS from the beginning.”
Alastair Storey from BaxterStorey said: “By working together with LEON, Mealforce and the high street brands, we can expand the work of FeedNHS to support additional hospitals in Scotland, Birmingham, Manchester and Cardiff.”
People can donate to FeedNHS by visiting: www.feednhs.com.
