Our Ready, Willing and Able staff volunteers have this week delivered their 5,000th parcel, to a Brownhills resident who is shielding from COVID-19.
Working alongside Manor Farm Community Association and Walsall Council, two of our staff volunteers dropped off a box of essential items to grateful 80-year-old John Bickley.
John, who celebrated his birthday last month, loves chatting to people, something he has really missed since lockdown began. A regular at lunch clubs, John also spends much of his time crafting items out of wood.
WMFS volunteer Cody and Watch Commander Diane who made the 5,000th delivery, are two of more than 70 people from WMFS who have been working with councils, charities, community groups and health organisations across six hubs, to ensure the most vulnerable receive essential food and medical deliveries, during the pandemic.
Additional activities for UK fire and rescue services were agreed in March between the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and national employers.
In the West Midlands, these activities have included delivering food and medical parcels which has played a pivotal part in our involvement in the NFCC’s Ready, Willing and Able campaign launched mid-April.
Phil Loach, our Chief Fire Officer, said:
“As a fire service, our communities are at the centre of what we do. I am very proud of the work of the whole team over the last few weeks, from those who have continued to respond to incidents, carry out safe and well visits and support local businesses to those who have stepped forward as volunteers, to deliver food and medical parcels.
“I have heard many heart-warming stories from our staff volunteers and it’s clear that their time, patience, and can-do attitude have made a big difference to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities during these very difficult times.”
We are delighted that our #ReadyWillingAble staff volunteers put a big smile on John’s face this week and have cheered up many others who have received essential food or medical parcel deliveries over the last three months. These deliveries will continue over the coming weeks to support the most vulnerable in communities across the West Midlands.
