Music boss hits the right note
Ben helping to feed hard-pressed staff
A Burnside man used to managing the tours of massive stars like Liam Gallagher, Primal Scream and Biffy Clyro is using his logistical skills to help feed overworked NHS staff.
Ben Pomphrett, whose partner is an intensive care nurse at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley, has launched the group Help Our NHS in a bid to ensure staff have access to good food during their long shifts battling coronavirus.
Kind-hearted Ben has reached out to his colleagues working in the music industry, as well as food producers and distributors to support staff through these difficult and unprecedented times.
He said: “Knowing the challenges facing NHS staff working in critical care units during normal times, then hearing first-hand from my partner how things are now as they deal with coronavirus, I thought that ensuring Scotland’s hardworking NHS staff get the food they need while they are caring for patients was a great way to show how much they are appreciated.
“With my own industry wiped out for the next few months I wanted to put that time to good use.”
The 35-year-old is turning his attention to the huge task of getting good quality food to staff who have little time to eat on shifts.
He said: “Critical care nurses are now in full PPE and can have limited time to prepare and eat on breaks, and often rely on snacks gifted by patients’ families but, with those units now closed to visitors, this is no longer happening.
“The objective here is to provide any help, big or small, to the people fighting this fight on our behalf, so all suggestions and offers are welcomed gratefully.
“We aim to try and help as many health boards and trusts as possible and have contacts across the country to assist where they can.”
Ben, who is used to running nationwide tours, has already identified Lomond Foods as the perfect distributor of donations as it already supplies hospitals across Scotland on a regular basis.
Barbara Henderson, who runs the Glasgow-based business with her husband Sam, said: “Like other businesses during the coronavirus crisis, we’ve had to adapt as our traditional ‘food service’ deliveries to outlets such as restaurants, sandwich bars and cafes has dropped off dramatically.
“However, as we have not stopped delivering to hospitals, we’re absolutely delighted to help Ben with Help Our NHS as it’s such a fantastic idea and we’re so glad he contacted us.
“As well as helping provide snacks to frontline NHS staff, we are also looking to deliver healthy meal options for those working in critical care units and have been in touch with our suppliers to invite them to donate everything from crisps, juice and sweet treats to other products such as ready meals and snacks that can be popped in the microwave.”
Lomond has already donated the first product – 180 boxes of Loveheart Empire Biscuits – and will provide the “wheels” to deliver future food donations into 20 critical care units across Scotland.”
Ben added: “It’s very early days but we’re really heartened by the response so far and hope food and drink suppliers get on board with it.”
Anyone wishing to donate food should contact helpournhs@ gmail.com or via social media at facebook.com/helpingournhs and twitter.com/helpingournhs. Suppliers can also email Barbara Henderson: barbara@ lomondfoods.co.uk
The objective here is to provide any help, big or small, to the people fighting this fight on our behalf