A former cricket star has helped to fuel the frontline with a generous donation of hot meals for staff at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust.
Renowned batsman Graham Gooch (pictured – credit: Nick Wood – Unshaken Photography), who excelled for both Essex and England during a career spanning more than two decades, visited The Princess Alexandra Hospital as part of Essex County Cricket Club’s generous philanthropic efforts on Wednesday, 22 April (pictured making the donation, below).
The hot meals were made for intensive care unit (ICU) staff at hospitals across the county and in London by charity Supporting Humanity. The charity, based at Saffron Kitchen in Leyton, is expanding each week and now making 1,700 meals per day to donate.
Graham said: “I’m delighted to be part of the Club’s outreach campaign and it’s fantastic to see the inspirational work that charities such as Supporting Humanity are doing.
“The Club are trying to do our own bit to help the hospitals and the NHS, and it’s been a privilege to deliver food for the staff.
“The key workers are doing a fantastic job. Everyone in the community in east London, Essex and across the country are really appreciative for all they are doing for people in need at this terrible time – they deserve a medal, all of them.”
John Keddie, non-executive director at PAHT, who chairs The Princess Alexandra Hospitals’ Charity, said: “It is wonderful to see such generosity from our local community.
“We wholeheartedly thank Graham Gooch and the Essex County Cricket Club team for choosing to bring some hot meals as an extra boost for our hard-working staff.”
Notes to editors:
- Please credit the photo of Graham Gooch at the awards evening to Nick Wood – Unshaken Photography
The Princess Alexandra Hospitals’ Charity supports patients, people and visitors at The Princess Alexandra Hospital, St Margaret’s Hospital and Herts and Essex Hospital. The charity enhances patient care, purchases special equipment, improves facilities and invests in vital research that supports patients now and into the future. For more information about The Princess Alexandra Hospitals’ Charity, please go to: https://www.pah.nhs.uk/charity