Couple feeding the NHS front line during coronavirus outbreak
A couple have risen to the challenge to feed NHS night shift staff working in intensive care.
Annabelle and Joe Colairo, from Clapham, who run catering company Masters in Blackfriars Road, Southwark, have raised £13,000 so far of their £20,000 target to keep the project going.
They learned of the plight of NHS night staff during lockdown, and with their family have started cooking – using their own money – for essential nourishment for those on night shifts.
Alison Hulme, a paediatric surgeon at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, had flagged up that hospital canteens, saying: “Front line staff were having a terrible and stressful time, working 12 to 14-hour shifts with no food available to them.
“Many live alone, some have to go to food banks, and are exhausted after their long shifts.
“Shopping and cooking is just too much for them when they are so low, both physically and emotionally. There is no time during shifts for a break, but a meal before or after is hugely appreciated.”
Joe, Annabelle and their family started cooking nutritious meals for the NHS staff most in need using their own funds. Joe gets up at 4am to source the best produce in New Covent Garden Market.
Since March 28, the family have been joined by chefs Sergio, Luis and Cesar who volunteered to provide between 40 and 60 hot meals to front line staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and The Royal London Hospital in Mile End.
They set up a funding page to raise money in aid of the Friends of Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, so they can fund more.
Joe said: “The cost per meal is £3.50, and we are delivering seven-days-a-week, which is 280 meals each week to Chelsea, so we are looking to raise £980 a week to keep this going.
“We also have the capacity to deliver more meals to different front line staff in other hospitals, but this depends on funding.
“Every pound helps and you can be sure that any donations will go towards meals for those that need it most.”
Click here for more information.
Pictured top: Annabelle and Joe Colairo
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ