Jackie’s treat for hero RAH staff living away from their families
Shop owner delivers goodies to frontline workers
A Howwood woman brought the clap for carers to nurses who haven’t seen their families in weeks as she arrived at the Bowfield Hotel with a piper and a car loaded with treats.
Jackie Dierikx went to the car park of the Renfrewshire hotel on Thursday evening as she clapped for the healthcare workers who are unable to go home to their loved ones while they treat people with Covid-19.
Staff from Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital are staying at the hotel to prevent them bringing the deadly virus back to their families, many of whom are high risk and shielding from the world outside their front doors.
Jackie, who owns Howwood Village Store, said she felt compelled to clap outside the hotel after she realised those within the remote building would not hear the hundreds of households across Renfrewshire applauding their unwavering commitment to the sick.
“They are not in amongst people clapping at 8pm so I thought it would be nice to go there and clap,” Jackie told the Express.
“I got Fergus Dorrington, who is a piper, to play the bagpipes and I took boxes full of crisps, chocolate, biscuits, cakes and magazines to them – all the luxuries to make life a wee bit easier for them.
“These people are not allowed to see their families.
“They go to work, finish their shift, go to their hotel rooms and that’s it.”
The Manorview Group, which owns Bowfield Hotel and Country Club, closed its doors to guests on March 18, but immediately offered its empty bedrooms to NHS and frontline workers, at no cost to individuals.
The move allows RAH staff to continue the fight against Covid-19 while keeping their vulnerable partners, parents and children safe.
Those staying at the hotel on Thursday were moved by Jackie’s generosity and came out to the car park to thank her and 12-year-old Fergus for his performance on the pipes.
Keeping at a safe distance, the workers spoke to Jackie about the loved ones they are trying to shield from Covid-19.
“There are so many reasons why they can’t go home to their families at night,” Jackie said.
“Some of them have wee kids. “One of them I was speaking to said ‘I hope my wee boy doesn’t forget me’.
“It was so sad.
“For a wee kid two months is a long time.
“Of course they speak over Skype and things like that, but two months is a long time to have no contact with your mum and for a mother not to see her son.
“These women are truly incredible. It must be really, really difficult for them.”
The health care workers were also treated to Dominos pizzas courtesy of the Johnstone branch.
The takeaway giant learned of Jackie’s plans to treat the staff and got on board with the delivery
They go to work, finish their shift, go to their hotel rooms and that’s it. They can’t go home to their kids