District Nurses, pictured with care packages for vulnerable people
Sunnybank District Nursing Team Community Staff Nurses (L-R) Jane Hemingway, Emma Mitchell and Claire Whitaker, Health Care Support Worker Siam Murtaza (centre) and District Nurse Team Leader Rachel Ash (right) collect care package bags from the Chapel House pub in Low Moor to distribute to vulnerable local people in lockdown

When the Chapel House pub in Low Moor, Bradford put out a Facebook post asking for people to distribute packages to vulnerable people at home due to the Coronavirus outbreak, Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust’s District Nursing Sister Rachel Ash got in touch right away.

The team at Chapel House had been making up bags full of groceries and things to help people pass the time if they live alone, have no family or are self-isolating. Rachel and her Sunnybank District Nursing Team regularly visit vulnerable people in Wyke and Low Moor and knew they were well placed to distribute the bags to people who would really appreciate them. 

The first 25 bags were rapidly distributed followed by another 25. Then the pub set up a fundraising page and within just 24 hours £230 of the £500 target was reached.

Rachel’s sons, nine-year old Dylan and six-year old Myles, play for Queensbury Juniors ARLFC, so the enterprising nurse then approached the rugby club. They were also keen to get involved, immediately donating £200 as well as sharing Rachel’s message that people could donate dry food packets, tins, biscuits, sweets, toiletries, toilet rolls, tea bags, coffee, sugar or other necessities, or support the cause through the pub’s fundraising page.

Said Rachel: “It’s been a real team effort and we want to thank everyone involved, from the pub to the club, to the people who have donated money or dropped items off to be included in the bags. 

“All our patients are vulnerable and most of them are elderly and isolating so the bags are truly welcome. We’ve seen their faces light up when they see we’re bringing not just the food but useful things like loo rolls and washing tablets and fun things like playing cards and crosswords.

“Now that the original £500 target has been reached, we hope the funds will continue to come in. Anything you are able to give will make a real difference to some of the most vulnerable people in our area.

“The pub team are happy to keep packing the bags if we can deliver them and our nursing team and colleagues have more patients we’d love to be able to take them to across Wyke, Low Moor, Wibsey, Buttershaw, Clayton and Queensbury.”

If you would like to donate, please visit the Chapel House pub’s Go Fund Me page.