Lush provide a helping hand to NHS staff

Dorset-based fresh handmade cosmetics company Lush has donated soap and hand cream to Dorset NHS staff working on the frontline to tackle coronavirus.

The 1,500 bars of Outback Mate soap bars and 1,500 pots of Helping Hands cream are being distributed to Dorset HealthCare staff across the county working day and night to support patients.

Steve Adamson, Laura Cummings and Tony Allen at St Leonard’s Community Hospital with the Lush donations.

They will support the hygiene measures which are so vital to minimise the spread of the virus.

Dawn Dawson, the Trust’s Director of Nursing, Therapies and Quality, said: “Thank you Lush for this fantastic gesture, which will help protect our staff and keep patients safe.

“It’s these small acts of kindness that will create hope for our staff, while helping them to cope at this extremely challenging time.”

Jason Muller, Global Manufacturing Director at Lush, said: “The nation is literally in your hands at the moment.

“The only way we could think to say thank you is to try to help you look after those hands.  We are sending the deepest admiration, respect and love to you all.”

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Branded Studios pays video tribute to NHS ‘superheroes’

A Christchurch film studio has paid its own very special tribute to the NHS in the form of a two-minute video.

Entrepreneur and film-maker Charlotte Fantelli, who owns Branded Studios in Christchurch, said: “A huge thank you to the NHS.

“After closing our studios two weeks ago, Branded Studios just wanted to say thank you to those who put their life on the line for us.

“Yesterday, today, tomorrow and always.

Charlotte Fantelli. Picture: Paul Griffiths.

“My job is to make films, to make actors look like superheroes.

“But at times like this you realise how very trivial that is, and how the real superheroes are among us in everyday life.

“I have had to use the NHS more than most, having been in resus myself a few years ago.

“At moments like that you realise how precious life is and how the jobs of the NHS is the most vitally important in our community.

“My mum is being treated for pneumonia at this time after contracting suspected coronavirus and I just wanted to do a little something to say thank you.

“May we never forget who the true heroes of our society are and may we never stop being thankful for their selfless care and support.

“We WILL get through this and we will remember our heroes long after Coronavirus Covid-19 is behind us.”

See the video at https://youtu.be/xYp_LewYMsU

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Morebus engineers’ hair-raising scheme in support of hospital appeal

Morebus engineers based at the bus operator’s depot in Poole have come up with a hair-raising scheme to raise funds in support of local hospitals and the NHS.

The group is already continuing to keep Morebus’ wheels turning, helping local key workers travel to carry to out their vital roles.

Now, the engineers want to express their appreciation for hard-working NHS staff who are putting themselves at the front line of the coronavirus pandemic.

Morebus engineer Daniel Large said: “We are all going to shave our heads on Thursday, April 9, in exchange for donations, which will go to the NHS.

“It’s fair to say a few of us are a little nervous – but it’s in aid of an incredibly worthy cause.”

Funds raised will be donated to the Dorset County Hospital Charity COVID-19 appeal.

The NHS is at the forefront of the fight against coronavirus and the charity has launched an urgent appeal to raise funds so it can provide even more support for staff and patients.

Daniel added: “Everyone there is doing an amazing job, showing wonderful commitment and sacrifice whilst caring for patient.

“Our target is £1,200, but we want to raise as much as we possibly can.”

Anyone wishing to donate to Morebus engineers’ Big Shave can do so by visiting the group’s Just Giving page.

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DP Seals supports fight against coronavirus

DP Seals Ltd, the Poole-based custom rubber seal manufacturer, is designing and manufacturing ventilator tooling and parts for Formula 1 team Mclaren as part of the co-ordinated government response to scale-up manufacturing.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson called on UK manufacturers to increase production of ventilators to help save lives as part of the response to the pandemic.

As a result the government is partnering a number of manufacturing and engineering companies to rapidly build existing, modified or newly designed ventilators.

Any new machines will be tested by expert clinicians and health regulators to ensure they pass all regulatory tests.

DP Seals is also supporting the Wave 105 Cash For Kids emergency appeal to help families in the area on low income and the brink of poverty who may now be even further impacted by coronavirus.

The fund will provide grants to help families with children cover basic essentials such as food and heating.

Andrew Piper, DP Seals’ Managing Director, pictured right, said: “‘Our staff have been amazing in adapting to these difficult circumstances.

“I’m really proud that we are able to support such an important national cause fighting this terrible virus and also some of the local people who will be directly impacted by it.”

Founded in 1971 DP Seals, an independent, family run business, is a global manufacturer of custom rubber seals, gaskets and mouldings.