‘I had to figure out a way to help from afar’

Sarah Milne, 48, lives in south London. Three times, over winter, I was in Intensive Care, requiring noninvasive breathing support, as I have severe asthma. In January, I was ventilated in A&E, and I was so grateful to the team at Croydon University Hospital who saved me.

When the hospital was hit by coronavirus, I couldn’t bear the thought of NHS workers coming off long shifts and having to face cooking a meal.

Because of my asthma, I’m in the high-risk category and can’t leave the house, but I knew I had to figure out a way to help from afar.

That’s when I came up with the idea of asking the landlady of our local pub, The Oval Tavern, to help. Esther is a pillar of the community, but since her pub had been forced to close, I asked her if she fancied combining efforts and using her kitchen to help to cook meals for NHS staff. She was all for it! I set about organising fundraising efforts, and Esther cooks 30 meals plus soup and freshly baked bread, six days a week, for hospital workers.

All the donations go on food. Esther gives her time and resources for free. A bike-hire company called Peddle My Wheels donated a bike, which Esther uses to deliver the meals, observing social distancing, of course.

We’ve raised nearly £3,500 and, as our meals cost just £2.30 a head, the more we raise, the more NHS staff we can feed. We’ve had incredible feedback, with front-line workers reporting that they haven’t got the energy to cook and it makes them happy to know they’ve got a healthy, warm meal to enjoy. I’d feel helpless stuck at home if I didn’t do something to make life a bit easier for the heroes.

gofundme.com/f/help-nourishcroydon039s-critical-care-team