STAFF at a Barnard Castle restaurant are aiming to cook up 3,000 free meals for the dale’s key workers along with isolated and vulnerable residents.
The Feed the Community initiative was launched at Babul’s restaurant, in Market Place, before the current coronavirus lockdown was imposed when 1,200 vouchers were distributed to Barney’s school children.
When restrictions were imposed, the Feed the Community drive was ramped up, running alongside the drive-through and delivery service introduced for the restaurant’s regular customers.
Manager Zak Ahmed said: “The initiative started with us providing free meals to the elderly and isolated before the lockdown was imposed.
“As the days have gone by, the lockdown has become more serious and there is a lot of pressure on key workers both in the NHS and in other areas.
“We wanted to do something that would boost morale and put smiles on people’s faces.”
That was certainly the case last week when Zak and his colleagues turned up at Barney’s Richardson Hospital to deliver 50 meals for staff.
The hospital has seen an increase in bed capacity on Starling Ward to allow it to take the pressure of others within the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust where emergency departments for patients with respiratory problems have been established.
In addition, free meals have been delivered to the likes of the GP surgery in Barnard Castle and staff and volunteers at the TCR Hub who are operating a scheme to distribute essentials to those most in need.
Meals and vouchers were also gratefully received by staff at the Mercury and Galgate News.
This week, some 140 meals were due to be delivered to staff at Deerbolt Young Offenders’ Institution, while the town’s care homes, supermarkets and Royal Mail are also in line for a free feed.
Mr Ahmed said: “This is our way of saying thank you as all of these guys are working hard for us.
“Our target is 3,000 meals while still doing food for the isolated, which is delivered by volunteers.”
Mr Ahmed said he was keen to ensure no groups of key workers missed out on the initiative.
“Just let us know,” he said.
Once the lockdown is lifted and the coronavirus crisis eases, Mr Ahmed is planning a “pay forward” scheme as a reward for those who deserve recognition for their efforts during the Covid-19 outbreak.
