Lomond teams up with music guru to help NHS

A Scottish wholesaler has formed an unlikely partnership with a music industry tour manager to supply NHS staff.

Lomond – The Wholesale Food Co is working with Ben Pomphrett (pictured), who has worked with the likes of Liam Gallagher, Primal Scream and Biffy Clyro, to deliver food and drink to the front-line hospital workers during the coronavirus crisis.

Pomphrett’s partner is an intensive care nurse at Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley and approached Lomond about helping his group, Help Our NHS, deliver food and drinks to NHS staff while they work.

“With my own industry wiped out for the next few months I wanted to put that time to good use,” said Pomphrett.

“Knowing the challenges facing NHS staff working in critical care units during normal times then hearing first-hand from my partner how things are now as they deal with the coronavirus, I thought that ensuring Scotland’s hardworking NHS staff get the food they need while they’re caring for patients was a great way to show how much they’re appreciated.

“Critical care nurses are now in full PPE and can have limited time to prepare and eat on breaks, and often rely on snacks gifted by patients’ families. But with those units now closed to visitors this is no longer happening.”

Lomond was able to offer its help with the scheme, partly due to extra resource the foodservice business has available due to a host of its regular customers being shut due to the pandemic.

The first drop was 180 boxes of Loveheart Empire Biscuits, with many more scheduled in coming weeks to 20 critical care units across Scotland.

“As we haven’t stopped delivering to hospitals, we’re absolutely delighted to help Ben with Help Our NHS as it’s such a fantastic idea – we’re so glad he contacted us,” said Lomond Director Barbara Henderson.

“As well as helping to provide snacks to frontline NHS staff, we’re also looking to deliver healthy meal options for those working in critical care units and have been in touch with our suppliers to invite them to donate everything from crisps, juice and sweet treats to other products, such as ready meals and snacks that can be popped in the microwave.”

coronavirus covid-19 Foodservice Lomond NHS wholesaler