Spar UK has delivered one million pieces of PPE to Marie Curie nurses working on the frontline as part of its ‘PPE Click & Collect Service’ initiative.
Spar wholesalers James Hall and Appleby Westward took part in the scheme, allowing nurses to collect face masks, aprons, gloves, visors, goggles, and hand sanitiser from their local Spar stores in the north and south west of England.
While Marie Curie sources the PPE, there had been problems in getting it out to nurses who operate in often remote communities across the country.
The partnership allows the charity to use Spar stores and lorries to deliver the PPE so the nurses can collect it from the stores closest to them.
Across the north and south west of England where the two Spar wholesalers operate, Marie Curie nurses use an average of 118,000 pieces of PPE a week.
And since May 2020, 150,000 nursing hours have been protected with vital PPE thanks to Spar’s support.
“It’s a real privilege to care for people at the end of life and support families during a very difficult time,” said Marie Curie healthcare assistant Flora Snape. “PPE is vital for us to continue delivering vital care during the pandemic.
“I’m so happy that I could pop into my local Spar and pick up my PPE, rather than waiting for it to arrive in the post.
“I’ve been able to do a bit of shopping at the same time, which is very convenient for me and my colleagues. At a time when coronavirus has had, and continues to have, a devastating impact on our fundraising and income, this initiative from Spar UK has helped the charity save vital funds.
“So, on behalf of the nursing service, I would like to say a big thank you to Spar for making this possible.”
James Hall sales & marketing director Peter Dodding said: “We feel incredibly privileged to be partnered with Marie Curie and to have played a small part in helping their community nurses continue such essential care during this difficult time.
“Thank you to our independent Spar retailers and company-owned Spar stores for making this possible.”
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