RAH workers are well fed thanks to cafe owner’s crusade
Generous businesses and residents have rallied to help feed hardworking staff at Paisley’s hospital.
Gary McCaw, who owns the Bianco e Nero coffee shop on Gauze Street, set up the Crowdfunder campaign last week.
So far it has raised almost £ 4,000 in donations and several Paisley cafes and restaurants have got involved by offering free family meals, coffees and discounts to donors for them to enjoy when the lockdown is lifted.
Gary, 34, from Paisley, started the appeal after he heard a plea from an NHS nurse who couldn’t get her shopping done after shift because of panic buyers.
He said: “I heard her on the radio and decided to set it up that afternoon.
“It was like a lightbulb moment, I just thought it would be nice to give something back.
“We’re sourcing stock from local suppliers so we’re trying to keep them going as well.
“It really is a great effort. “We’re trying to keep as much of Paisley going as much as we can.”
The Crowdfunder lasts for 14 days and will finish at the end of this week.
So far, it’s fed 100 members of staff at the Royal Alexandra Hospital every day.
By the end, Gary hopes he will have fed 1,000 members of staff with things like sandwich platters, soup, pasta and cakes.
The food has been donated by local businesses including A and A Bakers in Linwood, AJ Produce in Houston, Buon Giorno in Renfrew, Paisley Soft Drinks Company and Lomond Foods of Glasgow.
Gary added: “We started feeding the workers on March 23. We didn’t want to wait till we had all the money in before we started, we wanted to show people what we had achieved.
“Me and my staff have been really motivated by it, people have been really generous giving donations and lots of local businesses have given rewards for donations as well.”
Some of the business rewards include a free pair of designer glasses from Spex Appeal in return for a £250 donation; vouchers in exchange for food and coffee at Paisley cafes including Cafe Fairfull, Scotts, Bianco e Nero; money off membership at Iconic Fitness; meals at Pendulum, Cardosis, La Banca, and Juni restaurants; function hire at Bianco e Nero; and money off at Prestige Flooring.
Gary said: “Things are busy and staff are working long shifts. I thought it would be nice if they know somebody is coming up at 1.30pm with 100 lunches for everyone.
“The hospital have been putting in an effort as well to make sure everybody gets their fair share of food.
“We’ve had a lot of supportive comments, people telling us it’s a great thing we’re doing and it’s really motivating them.”
To support the Crowd fund er before it closes on Friday, go to www. crowdfunder. co.uk/3k-in3- days- tofeed- ournhs
It was a lightbulb moment, I just thought it would be nice to give something back