Teen's care parcel treat for staff at Wigan Infirmary

A caring student has given a helping hand to doctors and nurses working at Wigan Infirmary during the Covid-19 outbreak.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Olivia Riley wanted to do something to help after hearing about life on the frontline for medics at the hospital.

She appealed for donations to buy items for a care parcel for the staff and was delighted with the response.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The 16-year-old’s appeal was inspired by a family friend who works as a nurse at the hospital.

Staff receive the care parcelStaff receive the care parcel
Staff receive the care parcel

Her mother Carolyn Riley said: “She was saying to us about how when they wear the masks and take them off, their faces are sore, and their hands are sore from the gloves.

“Olivia wanted to do something. It was a small thing to start with. We asked people if they wanted to help to buy a hand cream and it took off. She ended up with donations of nearly £650.”

Olivia, a student at Winstanley College, sells products for The Body Shop and with the commission from her order, she was able to buy items worth nearly £800 for the care package.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mrs Riley, from Standish, said: “She bought masks and hand creams, moisturisers, sprays, lip balms.”

Olivia RileyOlivia Riley
Olivia Riley

The care parcel was delivered to staff working at the hospital, with the names of everyone who had donated listed inside the box.

And as Olivia had received a further donation after placing her order with The Body Shop, she used that to buy Easter eggs for staff, at a reduced price as Easter had passed.

Mrs Riley said: “I’m really proud of her. She just wanted to do something after listening to what my friend was saying.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Anita Baker, bereavement liaison specialist nurse at the hospital, said: “The staff on Winstanley ward and the critical care outreach team, plus the CPAP team at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, were delighted with the donation of Body Shop products kindly arranged by Olivia Riley

“After endless hours of wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for the patients, the doctors and nurses greatly appreciated the face sprays and the thought of going home to a refreshing face mask.

“We would all like to thank Olivia for thinking of us frontline NHS workers and taking the time to make the donation happen.”

A message from the Editorial Director, Gillian Parkinson:

Thank you for reading this story on our website.

But I also have an urgent plea to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality local news on this free-to-read site and in print, please purchase a copy of our newspaper as well.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on our town centres and many of our valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you buying a copy when you pop out for your essential shop or subscribing for delivery.

Our journalists are highly trained by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards anywhere in the world. Our content is universally trusted - as all independent research proves.

As Baroness Barran said in a House of Lords debate this week on the importance of journalists: "Not only are they a trusted source of facts, but they will have a role to play in rallying communities and getting the message across about how we can keep ourselves and our families safe, and protect our NHS. Undoubtedly, they have a critical role."

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. In return we will continue to forensically cover the local news - not only the impact of the virus but all the positive and uplifting news happening in these dark days.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

We thank all our readers and advertisers for their understanding and support - and we wish YOU all the best in the coming weeks. Keep safe, and follow the Government advice. Thank you.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE:

You can subscribe for delivery by contacting us at [email protected] or calling us on 0330 4033004 for details of a participating newsagent near you.

Related topics: