Lancaster man and daughter volunteer to take vital deliveries to patients

David Watts and his daughter Beatrix Kaley have been volunteering for University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust to deliver urgent orthotics items to patients in the community who have mobility issues and cannot pick them up from the hospital due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Items the kind father and daughter have delivered on behalf of the Therapies Team at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary include splints, knee braces and specialist diabetic footwear, to ensure people can stay mobile and do the day-to-day activities that keep them well.

David and his daughter have delivered more than 40 items to patients in the Lancaster area by following the government’s two-metre distancing rules.

David, founder of David Watts Associates, said: “I decided to register as a volunteer due to seeing how hard NHS staff were working whilst putting themselves at considerable risk during this crisis; I really felt that I should be doing something to help, albeit in a small way, and my daughter Beatrix was more than happy to assist.

“Helping with deliveries during lockdown really doesn’t feel like any kind of sacrifice, as it’s beneficial for me to get out of the house and engage with people who so far have really appreciated what I’m doing.”

Sarah Hoyes, Therapies Service Manager, UHMBT, said: “It is so heart-warming that someone has stepped in to help our vulnerable patients at this time and to know that the community are willing to support the NHS in this way.”

Foluke Ajayi, Chief Operating Officer, UHMBT, said: “I want to thank David and his daughter Beatrix Kaley for their kindness and volunteering their time to deliver these vital items to our patients.”