M&S has announced its plans to support NHS teams and their patients during the Covid-19 pandemic. Amongst its efforts, the retailer is donating thousands of “We are the NHS” branded T-shirts. These will form part of the uniform pack for NHS Nightingale London’s team.
It is also donating clothing care packs for NHS Nightingale patients. M&S is sourcing, packing and delivering the individual care packs for male and female patients. Each care pack contains a T-shirt, jumper, joggers, underwear and socks, and will be available in a range of sizes.
Furthermore, the retailer is starting a new, twice-weekly free food delivery programme to help feed the teams at Great Ormond Street Hospital and St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington. Deliveries of nearly 5,000 prepared meals, sandwiches and treats will be available every week for the next two months.
Commenting is Steve Rowe, CEO of M&S. “We get through these challenging times by pulling together. It’s been truly humbling to read the suggestions that have been pouring in from colleagues and customers alike with ideas for how we can help those on the NHS frontline.
“At a time when everyone is facing into personal challenges and our frontline colleagues are working round the clock, it’s heartening to see the whole nation is getting behind the fantastic NHS teams we’re relying on right now. We really are all in this together. I’m delighted we have been able to turn some of those ideas into action.”
Working with local and longstanding hospital partners
Great Ormond Street Hospital is one of M&S’s longstanding charity partners. Since 2011, the retailer has donated over £2.7m through Sparks and its Tiny Taste Buds kids’ food range. St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington neighbours M&S’s Waterside Support Centre, with many of the M&S family providing volunteer support over the years.
To further build on its local relationships, the team at M&S’s Castle Donington distribution centre will donate over 4,000 pyjama sets required for doctors and nurses at NHS Royal Derby Hospital to wear as scrubs as they care for patients.
In addition to supporting the NHS with food and clothes, M&S is donating to the NHS Charities Together COVID-19 Urgent Appeal, which is helping to fund essential support for NHS staff and volunteers caring for patients across the UK.
For more information on how M&S is supporting its customers, communities and colleagues, please click here.
