The kind-hearted community warriors donating care packages to South Tyneside hospital ICU nurses

The first package of food and toiletries was delivered to staff working on the ICU ward at South Tyneside District Hospital on Friday, March 20.

The scheme is a response to the surge in stockpiling amid the Covid-19 outbreak, which has left supermarket shelves empty of essential items.

Joseph Langley, who launched the initiative with South Shields Community Warriors and Radio Shields, said: “I have a friend in York who is an ICU nurse and she has told me stories of how they are really struggling at the moment, some of them are going without food.

“There are so many people doing good things for NHS workers but we don’t want the ICU nurses to be forgotten about. They are going to be working more hours than anyone else and in isolation.”

He added: “I’ve been on the ward when my mother was in intensive care – I have seen what they go through.”

Elsewhere in the country there has been reports of NHS staff "breaking down in tears" after being confronted by empty shelves.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA) have now written to supermarket bosses for urgent measures to help doctors and nurses who are struggling to buy essential groceries.

They have called on supermarkets to provide priority access to those working in health and care, and to hold back certain items like toilet paper for all nursing staff.

From Sunday, March 22 Tesco stores will open one hour before the usual opening time, while Marks and Spencer is dedicating the first hour on Tuesdays and Fridays to emergency workers.

Click here for an interactive map showing the spread of Covid-19 across the UK

Marsden Inn landlord, Michaeal Ward has opened up the pub as a drop-off point for donations and every few days volunteers will deliver the packages to ICU staff.

Dawn Denyer, a nurse on South Tyneside District Hospital ICU has thanked them for their “generous" donations, commenting that it is “so thoughtful”.

Toiletries and sealed food items, such as tins and dry good can be dropped off at the Marsden Inn.

Visit South Shields Community Warriors page for information.