UK-registered charity One Family launched its Emergency Care Fund earlier this month, with its ‘Frontline Care Boxes’ being distributed across London hospitals this week.
The care boxes, conceptualised by junior doctor Marissa Lewis, have been carefully assembled to provide all the essentials hospital staff need while on gruelling shifts. The contents include a new pair of socks, an eye mask, earplugs, lip balm, hand moisturiser, mouthwash sachets, glucose tablets and an assortment of refreshments.
The idea came to Dr Lewis while on the phone with a colleague, who had experienced a particularly difficult A&E shift. She created the thoughtful care box as a way of expressing her understanding and solidarity and was soon inundated with requests for more by colleagues.
“After hearing Dr Lewis’ story, we were moved by her spirit of generosity at such a trying time,” said Sharif Banna MBE, Chairman of One Family. He continued: “Our mission is to inspire a love for humanity that unites everyone, and Marissa’s care boxes do just that. As part of our Emergency Care Fund for COVID-19, we are delighted to partner with Dr Lewis to create these in order to provide a little respite to our brilliant medical staff, who are working tirelessly every day to save lives.”
The charity has partnered with brands including RB’s E45 and SwishToGo to ensure only the best quality products are reaching frontline staff. Dr Lewis expressed her delight at receiving an initial batch of the boxes at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, Kent. “[The care boxes] are so fantastic and I’m thrilled to hear they are reaching other hospitals.”
One Family’s ‘Frontline Care Boxes’ have been delivered to Chelsea and Westminster,
Queen’s Hospital in Romford and Northwick Park – one of London’s worst-hit hospitals. The charity aims to roll out the scheme nationwide over the coming weeks, with more boxes being delivered to hospitals across London this week.
“Our Emergency Care Fund was created to provide support where it’s really needed,” said One Family Chairman, Sharif Banna MBE. “In our insight gathering phase, we wanted to mobilise our vast network to provide specific solutions for the issues being faced by communities during this unprecedented time.”
As well as the ‘Frontline Care Boxes’, One Family’s Emergency Care Fund has developed ‘Food & Grocery’ packs for the most vulnerable and partnered with organisations to provide tablets to care homes across the country, as well as facilitate 3D printing of essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supplies.
For further information visit: www.onefamily.org.uk/emergency-care-fund.
