Reservists stepped in to help Covid-19 medical effort
THE Army has revealed reservists were deployed to Runcorn to support efforts to keep essential medical supply chains running during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.
A Ministry Of Defence spokeswoman said 156 Regiment RLC issued a call for personnel who were qualified ‘very narrow aisle (VNA)’ forklift operators) to start work immediately.
After surveying warehouses in the region, 63 reservists were deployed to the Runcorn NHS distribution centre and also Haydock.
They picked, labelled and delivered vital personal protection equipment (PPE) across the North West and the wide country.
The deployment increased to an average of 70 troops.
Their efforts were revealed as The Army marked Armed Forces Week and specifically Reserves Day on Wednesday, June 24.
WO Tony Whitmore said: “After serving on many operational tours during my 22-year regular career, it is with great pride that once again I am serving Queen and country to help fight the Covid19 virus, initially as a command team soldier at the Runcorn warehouse for three weeks.
“I now work in a civilian capacity but now as a shift manager with nine of our regiment’s soldiers at the same distribution site, containing to provide vital PPE to local hospitals.
Pte John Farrell said: “At the beginning of lockdown we were called upon to assist a local NHS distribution site.
“It made me immensely proud to support such an important operation.
“Although I was there to assist in the sorting and effective distribution of vital supplies to the NHS, I also got the opportunity to assist in the catering department which showed how diverse the skills of a reservists can be.”
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