Barry rallies to donate food to NHS staff working through the pandemic

A Barry resident has been organising donations of food and other helpful items to hospital wards and health and social care staff.

Rowena Hughes started organising collections during the first lockdown, and after slowing down during the summer she's "upped the ante" as hospital wards are at breaking point.

Since starting, Rowena has received donations from several individuals, businesses and organisations in Barry, including Cabot Carbon, Barry Round Table, Barrybados, Hopkins Butchers, and Morrisons.

"I've been speaking to my contact in ICU, and she says they're under an awful lot of pressure. They're doing 13–14-hour shifts, and then going back-to-back," said Rowena.

"Unfortunately, the virus is very much here and this new variant seems to be a lot more contagious.

"So those donations are making a world of difference. I think they're just little pick me ups; it might seem like a small thing but the feedback from hospital staff is that they appreciate this gesture from the community.

"It's such a morale boost to think that the community has got their backs and that they're still supporting them," she said.

Rowena is asking for "grab-and-go" food items that can be heated up quickly and easily in the middle of a busy shift, such as pot noodles, mug shots, porridge pots and cereal bars.

"Anything they can cook by popping on the kettle, you know? Also, any coffee or hot chocolate, fizzy drinks and sweets. They need that burst of energy from the sugar," said Rowena.

"I've also collected toiletries for emergency parent packs at Noah's Ark.

"If your child is ill, and you go into hospital, the last thing you think of is you and because Noah's Ark is a center of excellence people come from all over.

"Then they suddenly think, 'oh, gosh, we got no deodorant, we've got no sanitary products' because you've just thought of your child. So, the ward provides these toiletry bags.

"Then another thing is hand cream because nurses and doctors are doing intense hand-washing, and it's nice for them just to have that to help," she said.

Since starting, Rowena says several businesses in Barry have joined her donations.

"Morrisons in Barry has delivered hampers of tea, coffee and sweets, and then Cabot Carbon also arranged for £100-worth of food to be delivered," she said.

"The community support has been amazing."

Rowena organises for donations to be left in her porch, to maintain social distancing.

Anyone looking to help can message Rowena here .