Caring Letchworth colleagues donate haul of Easter eggs to NHS staff

Colleagues at Govia Thameslink Railway’s Letchworth distribution centre have donated thousands of Easter eggs to hospitals in Huntingdon, Stevenage, Luton and Bedford, as a thank you to NHS staff.

The colleagues wanted to show how much they appreciated their fellow key workers at Hinchingbrooke, Lister, Luton and Dunstable and Bedford hospitals this Easter bank holiday.

Today (Thursday, 9 April), each hospital received five hampers each with around 200 eggs in them, plus two boxes of around 1,200 small eggs along with a large Easter egg.

Letchworth distribution support coordinator Stan Cooper, 58, came up with the idea of donating Easter eggs. Stan, who lives in Letchworth and has worked on the railway for about six years, said: “It’s good to be able to show our appreciation for all they do.”

Letchworth distribution centre manager Sarah Collett, who has worked on the railway for over 30 years, ordered the eggs and created the hampers. She delivered hampers to Hinchingbrooke Hospital, which is her local hospital.

Sarah, who is a mum-of-two and grandmother-of-two, said: “I spoke to quite a few people from the NHS about delivering the eggs and they were so grateful. They’re just doing an amazing job. We’re key workers as well, but what they’re doing is just unbelievable. They do deserve these hampers because they are working so hard. It’s not a lot but it’s something to keep them going and something to show we care.”

A spokesperson for North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Hinchingbrooke Hospital, said: “On behalf of everyone at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, I would like to say a big thank you to the staff at Govia Thameslink Railway for their kind donation of Easter eggs. The show of support from the local community has been humbling and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who has dropped off treats for our staff. It means a lot that everyone is thinking of us during these challenging times.”

Nick Carver, chief executive of the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust that runs Lister Hospital, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of both individuals and businesses in our community, who continue to send messages of support, and offers of goods and services. On behalf of our staff, I wish to say thank you to Govia Thameslink Railway for their support – it means so much in these unprecedented times to know you are behind us.”

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GTR notes to editors

GTR’s Letchworth distribution centre transports essential items to stations and driver hubs across the Thameslink and Great Northern networks, spanning from King’s Lynn to King’s Cross and Bedford to Brighton.

Among the items the 11-strong team deliver are janitorial supplies, cleaning products, posters, stationery, tickets and furniture.

The Letchworth distribution centre has also been supported by the Horsham distribution team, transporting items between Letchworth and Horsham.

East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust’s notes to editors

If a member of the public or a business would like to make a donation please email charity.enh-tr@nhs.net or call 01438 285182. A member of the East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity team will be in touch.

The charity has set up an Amazon Wish List based on staff requests. It can be viewed here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/347BAO0UUEMZ4?ref_=wl_share

The charity is also collecting donations via the #HereForEachOther appeal, which will be used to support staff at this time, as well as fund extra equipment and services to the benefit of both patients and staff. To make a donation of £5 text HERE4EACHOTHER to 70085. To find out more and to make a donation online visit enhhcharity.org.uk/hereforeachother