Mark grateful for food help as UK remains in lock down

AWIDNES man with serious health problems is grateful to be among the first to receive a food parcel from the Government as part of its coronavirus response.

Mark Allen, 48, must stick to a strict form of self-isolation for 12 weeks because he has several conditions relating to the fact he was born with cystic fibrosis which causes lung damage.

Mark had a double lung transplant in 2005 which saved his life.

But because his body started to reject the new lungs in the early days he only has 22% capacity compared with a healthy adult so any respiratory illness is dangerous.

Powerful anti-rejection drugs suppress his immune system making him particularly susceptible to Covid-19.

And unfortunately the heavy cocktail of drugs he must take daily have now damaged his kidneys so he is currently on dialysis awaiting a transplant, although this is on hold due to coronavirus.

Mark, a press officer at Halton Council, said: “I’m shielding because I’ve got cystic fibrosis, diabetes, had a double lung transplant, I’m on immunosuppressants and I’m on kidney dialysis waiting for a new kidney so I tick all the boxes, so I’m being very careful about it.”

He added: “This morning I had the first package from the Government and Halton Borough Council. I think it was delivered by a volunteer, so that’s very good of them.”

Mark said the box included items such as toilet roll, oranges, carrots, tuna, tomato sauce, potatoes, rice, baked beans and toiletries such as soap and shampoo.

Mark is lucky that a friend is helping out with local shopping and he uses the Asda online delivery service.

But he is appreciative of the extra help.

He added: “A friend is going shopping for me next week and this should tide me over

“Thank you.”

The Government says the first 2,000 food parcels were delivered this weekend to those who cannot leave their homes because severe health conditions leave them most vulnerable to the virus.

More parcels are expected to go out next week from wholesalers across the country, bringing the first set of deliveries to more than 50,000.

Depending on demand, hundreds of thousands of boxes could be delivered each week.