Heath care workers have been stretched to their limit as they battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local businesses are rallying the community to say thanks to these frontline heroes with a range of acts of kindness.
The Blind Chef café in Penrith is helping tired Nepean Hospital staff with a ‘pay it forward’ coffee drive.
“We are a new business dealing with COVID so couldn’t donate a lot ourselves but so many people wanted to show their appreciation for the workers,” owner Craig Shanahan said.
“People can call us on 4706 0591 to pay or when they purchase something, then we do big orders for the nurses and deliver them personally if we can.”
Owner of Essence Skin Lab, Teah Fensom from Cranebrook is also taking donations online at http://www.essenceskinlab.com starting from $5 to donate skin care packs for staff at Nepean Hospital.
The products will help relieve dehydration, scaring and skin flares from wearing PPE for long periods every day.
Jordan Springs resident, Hailey Nelson has created $25 savoury boxes through her business, HJN Grazings to keep frontline workers full during shifts.
“My sister is a paramedic and it is a stressful time right now so people can contact us on Facebook or Instagram to pay and then we deliver it to the different departments with their name,” Ms Nelson said.
“We have done close to 500 boxes for Nepean but we are also doing contact tracers, Blacktown COVID ward and Westmead Children’s Hospital.”
Local independent Body Shop at Home consultants are also undertaking health care workers hand cream drives to make sure self care is still a priority.
“I have made over 220 care packages that were greatly appreciated by Nepean Hospital and Westmead Children’s nurses, doctors, cleaners and admin staff,” Jordan Springs consultant, Sara Diamond said.
“They are doing an incredible job in a time of great challenge and uncertainty so if anyone is interested in contributing, they can contact me via my Facebook page, Body Shop at Home – Diamond Edition.”
Cambridge Park consultant, Kimberley Osborne is also donating hand cream packages for a donation of $8. Email [email protected].
Emily Feszczuk
A graduate of Western Sydney University, Emily covers Local, State and Federal politics for the Weekender, as well as crime and general news.