Marks & Spencer donates clothing and care packages to NHS staff and patients

Marks & Spencer is donating thousands of specially branded t-shirts to form part of the uniform pack for the NHS Nightingale frontline team in London, as well as thousands of clothing packs for discharged patients from the temporary COVID-19 hospital.

In addition the retailer is giving 4,000 pairs of pyjamas to be used as scrubs to NHS Derbyshire, located close to its Castle Donington distribution centre, as well as twice weekly free food deliveries to St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Its Sparks loyalty card scheme has selected the NHS Charities Together COVID-19 Urgent Appeal as its chosen charity meaning that card-holders will donate every time they shop.

The specially branded “We are the NHS” t-shirts have been designed so the public can recognise the workers at NHS Nightingale, while the patient care packs include a t-shirt, jumper, joggers, knickers or boxers and socks, and will be available in a range of sizes.

Steve Rowe, CEO of M&S, said: “We’re doing our bit to help the NHS by focussing on what we do best - providing great food and clothes - in the hope we can make it just a little easier for our NHS heroes to do what they do best, as well as the patients in their care. We get through these challenging times by pulling together and it’s been truly humbling to read the suggestions that have been pouring in from colleagues and customers alike with ideas for how we can help those on the NHS frontline.

"At a time when everyone is facing into personal challenges and our own frontline colleagues are working round the clock - it’s heartening to see the whole nation is getting behind the fantastic NHS teams we’re relying on right now. We really are all in this together and I’m delighted we have been able to turn some of those ideas into action.”

Natalie Forrest, Chief Operating Officer at NHS Nightingale London said: “These packs will ensure real dignity for our patients and make the nurses very proud to be able to provide such an amazing level of care.”