Generous fisherman donates 300kg catch to NHS staff and carers battling coronavirus outbreak

A thoughtful fisherman has donated his generous haul to dozens of NHS staff and carers.
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After a day at sea on Thursday, March 26, South Shields fisherman Colin Graham donated 300kg of seafood to key workers on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis.

The 38-year-old, who sails the Santa Maris distributed the day’s catch at the Fish Quay in North Shields where the new stern trawler docks.

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Setting off at 4am on Thursday, he returned to shore with 280kg of prawns and 20kg of fish.

Fisherman Colin Graham and stepdaughter Daisy with the Santa Maris.Fisherman Colin Graham and stepdaughter Daisy with the Santa Maris.
Fisherman Colin Graham and stepdaughter Daisy with the Santa Maris.

The rest was given out to members of the public who made a voluntary donation.

“It was so much more than I expected,” said the 38-year-old of Beaconside, South Shields.

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“There’s so much bad news at the moment, people are really struggling financially.

Colin and crew caught more than 200 kilos of seafood for NHS staffColin and crew caught more than 200 kilos of seafood for NHS staff
Colin and crew caught more than 200 kilos of seafood for NHS staff

“I’m a self-employed fisherman, but I thought I should go out and do something to help, rather than sit moping around.”

Colin added: “Those in the NHS can’t get out to the shops because they are working so many extra hours and they just want to go home to their families.

“Everyone who was there got something – I even donated my own food that I had put aside for myself to the last NHS worker.”

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Colin Graham and stepdaughter Daisy on board the Santa Maris.Colin Graham and stepdaughter Daisy on board the Santa Maris.
Colin Graham and stepdaughter Daisy on board the Santa Maris.

Staff from Dodgin's Yard restaurant in North Shields also helped to distribute the seafood.

Police officers and representatives of the local authority were in attendance to monitor the situation and ensure social distancing rules were observed at all times.

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Colin is now planning to do it again as the fight against coronavirus continues in the coming weeks.

“I’ve had so many messages off staff saying how grateful they are,” he added.

“I’m no hero by any means but every little helps.”