Plea for food bank help

Medics at air ambulance charity Magpas have praised residents and businesses after receiving donations of protective equipment to help them go on saving lives during the coronavirus crisis.

Last month the charity, which flies to medical emergencies in Peterborough and across the east of England proving life saving care, put the call out for personal protective equipment (PPE) as they only had limited stock.

Now they have been inundated with the kit, and staff have said a big thank you to everyone who has donated.

A spokesman for Magpas said: “Our priority is to ensure the safety of our patients, our crew, our staff and volunteers whilst maintaining our emergency medical services for the communities we serve.

“Not only have local businesses, from around the region, been incredible at getting in touch with us and offering equipment free of charge, but individuals have also taken it upon themselves to call upon relevant companies in their community and collect/ deliver these crucial items to our Operations Base too.

“Thanks to the phenomenal community support, Magpas Air Ambulance has been fortunate enough to receive more than 700 masks, suits and respirators as well as filters for reusable masks and 50 bottles of alcohol sanitiser!

“It has highlighted how amazing the local communities that we serve have been and continue to be; this whole experience epitomises true community unity!

“This support means so much to us and will help keep our patients and doctor and paramedic teams safe, in these challenging times.”

Residents are being urged to leave Easter Eggs out of donations to food banks and only give essential items. Organisers have urged people to focus on the vital food and essentials needed to create much-needed support packages. Peterborough MP Paul Bristow (above) has add ed his voice asking residents to donate during the pandemic.

People can make a donation by visiting their nearest Central England Co-op food store and dropping an item or two into special collection points. Donations will be collected up from Central England Coop stores and used to create food parcels.

Items needed include cereal, tinned food and fruit, tea bags, dried pasta, rice, long life milk, sugar, biscuits, fruit juice and squash, pasta sauce and instant coffee.

Food banks being supported by this appeal include Peterborough Food bank. On average, food banks are seeing a 50% fall in donations coupled with a 100% rise in requests.