'Please support Harrogate Hospital Pop Up Shop' plea by volunteers

A group of local residents are seeking the co-operation of the whole community to join together in support of the vital key workers at Harrogate District Hospital.
Supporters of Harrogate Hospital Pop-Up Shop volunteer Paula Shorrock delivering supplies to Andrew Forsyth, who works for Harrogate Hospital Community Charity.Supporters of Harrogate Hospital Pop-Up Shop volunteer Paula Shorrock delivering supplies to Andrew Forsyth, who works for Harrogate Hospital Community Charity.
Supporters of Harrogate Hospital Pop-Up Shop volunteer Paula Shorrock delivering supplies to Andrew Forsyth, who works for Harrogate Hospital Community Charity.

Established by Fiona Ryan and Hayley Gregg, the Facebook Group, “Supporters of Harrogate Hospital Pop-Up Shop” provides essential food and household goods to the Harrogate Hospital key workers.

A pop up shop has now been set up within the hospital to house the donations and is open to staff only who can drop in for essential items which have been donated by the community.

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Hayley Gregg said: “There are over 700 members of staff at the hospital and we want to avoid them having to pop to the supermarket following a gruelling shift.

"They can just nip to the pop up shop and grab a loaf of bread, tin of beans or cat food and then go straight home. Some staff members are working extra hours unexpectedly and are caught out so can use the shop to grab a snack or drink to keep them going”.

The group was set up only two weeks ago and has already delivered 12 carloads of donations to the hospital.

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Fiona Ryan said:“Our focus is to keep our frontline workers sustained. We do not know if a second wave of this virus is coming and we need to keep those who will protect us, safe physically and mentally and to boost their morale.

"Amazingly, the trustees of Oatlands Community Centre have allowed us to the set up a “drop off” point for donations.

"We kindly ask that the people of Harrogate help us to support the hospital workers by donating a tin of tomatoes or a pack of biscuits and bring them to the community centre on Monday or Thursday evenings between 6-8pm – we will then transport them to the pop up shop”.

Joanne Kelly, a nurse on the paediatric ward told the Harrogate Advertiser: “I have personally found the shop so useful especially when I have just finished a nightshift and can grab a couple of things rather than have to go to a shop and queue.

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"It means I can get straight home and get some sleep ready to return for another nightshift. My husband who also works at the hospital pops down for a nice cold drink and a biscuit. "So, from the bottom of our hearts, we are very grateful to Fiona, Hayley, the team and to everyone who kindly donates to the pop up shop. We really do appreciate it.”

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