Volunteers from Network Rail have joined up with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Local Resilience Forum (LRF) PPE hub to help deliver more PPE to care homes, GP surgeries and other hospices across the UK.

The PPE distribution centre was opened in April as part of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Resilience Forum response to the coronavirus crisis.

Approximately 40,000 items have been distributed by the centre to over 50 locations a day, and the operation is crucial to allow supplies to get where they are needed most.

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the PPE has been distributed by volunteers; however, with the centre closing at the end of July, additional help was needed to move the remaining supplies.

Six workers from Network Rail’s Peterborough and Hitchin depots agreed to help out and worked fulltime to distribute the last stock before the closure of the hub.

This is just another example of how railway employees have helped not just move passengers through the coronavirus pandemic, but also helped proved PPE amongst other gestures, rail operator South Western Railway recently donated PPE to the local emergency services, and a rail signaller has also 3D printed PPE for care workers.

Andrew Ferris, who works for Network Rail in Peterborough, said: “When I heard that volunteers were needed to distribute PPE, I was more than happy to get involved. In times like these, we all need to work together.

“Network Rail encourages all of its employees to take volunteer leave to help with good causes, and I am delighted to be able to play my part in getting this PPE to those who need it most, which will help in the fight against Covid-19.”

Sarah Learney, Programme Director for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), commented: “The Local Resilience Forum PPE hub has been a massive partnership effort, delivering PPE every day to locations across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. We have supported everyone from care homes and GPs to pharmacies and prisons, plus many others working on the frontline.

“I wanted to say a massive thank you to Network Rail volunteers for helping us in the final week of a hugely successful operate on and for delivering PPE to organisations all across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.”

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