Millwall have revealed a new campaign to support local NHS staff and their families throughout this year’s Christmas and New Year period.
The impact of coronavirus has been felt across society but nowhere more so than in hospitals where NHS staff have continued to go above and beyond the call of duty – often at the expense of their own physical or mental health as well as home and social lives.
Working in conjunction with Millwall Community Trust (MCT), ‘Hospital Heroes’ aims to deliver a range of engaging initiatives and programmes for workers and their families from three local hospitals.
The aim is to give something back to those who deserve it most and will include personnel hosting:
– A personal food shopping/parcel delivery service
– Tea, coffee and cake mornings at the Lions Centre
– Virtual and face-to-face yoga and personal training sessions
– Cooking lessons
– Finance workshop with Barclays
– Health and general wellbeing ‘buddy’ walks
– Dance and fitness classes
– Continuing Professional Development (CPD) qualification workshops
– Gardening masterclasses
– Walking Sport sessions
A selection of players from Millwall’s first team will also become virtual reading partners for the young children of NHS workers amongst other plans for families, which includes:
– Multi-sports coaching
– Morning virtual fitness workouts
– Booster education sessions
– Employability/college support classes for teenagers
– Zoom quizzes and interview opportunities with senior Millwall staff
– Weekend sports clubs
– Tours of The Den
Millwall fans have also been getting involved, donating money towards gifts for NHS staff and their families using the Virtual ‘Hope Tree’ with all presents to be delivered before Christmas by Trust staff and volunteers.
On the scheme, Lions manager Gary Rowett said: “I am immensely proud of the club and Trust staff for their commitment to what is an enormous and incredibly important campaign.
“The remarkable work of our NHS frontline staff has rightly been well documented in recent months but we all know this particular Christmas period is going to be especially demanding and it’s important for them to know that others are trying to give a little bit back.
“I really believe that what is being done as part of this Hospital Heroes initiative will help so many people, young and old, and yet again showcases just how much the club and Trust values its local community.”