Congregation lends helping hand
THE CONGREGATION at St Paul’s Church in Wokingham has been supporting patients at Royal Berkshire Hospital.
The rector, the Revd Richard Lamey, and his team put out a call to seewhat could be done to support the local NHS staff.
Two members of the congregationwere hospital staff andwere able to provide real insight intowhatwould make their colleagues’working days a little brighter.
The church community decided to donate high-quality food and drink, such as squash and individually wrapped cakes and biscuits, to lift the spirits and energy levels of staff during their long shifts.
They also took a personal approach too.
One of the hospital’s staff said: “Just knowingwe are being thought aboutwould be brilliant – notes and cards would be a real boon in the darkest moments.”
The community around St Paul’s, including some of the local schools, rallied round and quickly notes and letters began appearing for the staff at the hospital.
Somewere emailed directly to the RBH Chaplaincywhile otherswere delivered to St Paul’s — where theywere quarantined and then passed onto the hospital.
So far, roughly 50 notes have been delivered and £220 worth of refreshments have been donated by the communitywhich have been shared around at least eight differentwards, including ICU and Elderly Care.
One matron at the hospital said in a thank you note: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to your church for their very thoughtful and generous donations.
“They have been distributed to frontline clinical areaswithin the hospital and staff have been
so touched by this kind gesture.
“It is so nice of you all to think of us.”
Residents thatwould like to get involved can visit St Paul’swebsite formore information: www.stpaulswokingham.org.uk/