Nuns’ care home that was facing 200% price hikes for PPE is saved by The Mail Force mercy mission
- Mail Force delivered PPE to St Anne’s Home in Stoke Newington, north London
- Sellers were charging the Little Sisters of the Poor three times the normal price
- Nuns and care staff broke into a round of applause when the delivery arrived
Like many care homes around the country it has been struck by tragedy, with three of its elderly residents killed by Covid-19.
The nuns who run it are getting through personal protective equipment ‘like wildfire’ as carers work to keep those who live there safe.
But greedy PPE sellers are charging their order, the Little Sisters of the Poor, three times the normal price for the lifesaving gear.
Now Mail Force has come to the aid of St Anne’s home in Stoke Newington, north London, delivering a batch of the latest shipment of high-quality face masks, aprons and gowns.
Mail Force has come to the aid of St Anne’s home in Stoke Newington, north London, (pictured) delivering a batch of the latest shipment of high-quality face masks, aprons and gowns
When the charity arrived with the desperately needed PPE, the nuns, care staff and some of the younger residents in the garden broke into a spontaneous round of applause.
Mother Superior Sister Agnes said: ‘We truly thank Mail Force and all the kind donors from the bottom of our hearts.
RESIDENT WHO FOUGHT OFF CORONA AT AGE 106
She survived two world wars only to be hit by coronavirus aged 106.
But Angela Hutor is made of stern stuff and has beaten the killer disease.
The former seamstress and florist, who was born in August 1913 and remembers queueing for potatoes aged five at the end of the First World War, tested positive for Covid-19 in April. Her daughter Pauline, 61, said: ‘It looked really bleak.
‘It felt as though she was slipping very fast, and I just felt grateful to be with her.
‘It is because of the outstanding care at St Anne’s, and the total and utter devotion of the nurses, carers, auxiliaries and her GP, that Mum has pulled through.’
Angela Hutor, aged 106, at St Annes Care Home, Stoke Newington, London
‘Having enough PPE has been one of the biggest worries since day one and we have been going through it like there is no tomorrow.
‘We are so grateful for this donation. PPE is a terrific cost. The last bill we had was way over £3,000.’
The Little Sisters of the Poor is a charity caring for the less well-off elderly.
Its usual funding sources – coffee mornings and church collections – have dried up during the lockdown.
The home has 34 residents being looked after in strict isolation, plus a further 19 in flats who are allowed to use the stunning garden around which it is set.
The Mail Force Charity was set up by the Daily Mail and its partners to help alleviate the crisis of PPE shortages.
Mail readers and other donors have gifted £9million to help find untapped sources of PPE across the world.
The charity has delivered masks from China, aprons made in Lancashire and gowns from Turkey to the NHS and care homes, and every item is NHS approved.
Earlier this week, Mail Force flew in one million Type IIR surgical face masks. These offer more protection than cheaper versions and are in huge demand globally.
The first million arrived on a Chinese cargo plane, and a million more will be flown in next week and again the week after.
Sister Agnes said: ‘I cannot tell you how thankful we are. We have had three confirmed cases of coronavirus and a few other residents had symptoms like a high temperature but recovered.
‘Our eldest resident Angela Hutor, who is nearly 107, was very ill. But miraculously and thanks to wonderful staff, she’s come back round.’
Mrs Hutor’s daughter Pauline said: ‘Thank you for the PPE donation – it’s so great the carers are given the help they deserve.’
Another resident, former nurse and midwife Caroline Hope, 81, said: ‘We are so grateful for everything you have brought us.’
HERE’S HOW TO DONATE
Mail Force Charity has been launched with one aim to help support NHS staff, volunteers and care workers fight back against Covid-1 in the UK.
Mail Force is a separate charity established and supported by the Daily Mail and General Trust.
The money raised will fund essential equipment required by the NHS and care workers.
This equipment is vital in protecting the heroic staff whilst they perform their fantastic work in helping the UK overcome this pandemic.
If we raise more money than is needed for vital Covid-1 equipment, we will apply all funds to support the work of the NHS in other ways.
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