Hunslet Morrisons donates microwave and Christmas chocolate to Covid ward at Leeds General Infirmary

The microwave on a Covid ward at Leeds General Infirmary Hospital broke leaving nurses without hot meals during shifts as they are not allowed to leave the ward.

The nurses ‘whipped round’ and raised £25 for a new one but after asking Morrisons in Hunslet their best price for a microwave, the store donated one for free.

Ward L23, which is ordinarily an ear nose and throat ward, has been made a ‘Covid hot’ ward for the second time this year, with 22 elderly Covid patients currently on the ward.

The ward housekeeper, Lesley Newton, said: “What Morrisons did to ensure our staff can have hot meals during shifts was above and beyond.

“And not only that, they donated the Christmas selection boxes which we usually buy to give to patients as presents.

“They were so lovely and didn’t make me feel bad and now the £25 we collected can go to buying the patients other Christmas presents to help make them as happy as possible this year.”

Morrisons hand delivered the microwave and chocolates to the ward at the Jubilee Wing, leaving Lesley ‘blown away’ at its generosity.

Lesley also praised Morrisons for being so supportive to NHS staff throughout the pandemic with 10 per cent off and priority entry on weekend mornings.

She added: “This is not even just about the NHS, it’s about everybody being as they are and especially Morrisons.

“People appreciate the NHS but other people such as supermarkets and delivery drivers need recognising through this crisis too.

“Without them we couldn’t do this either.”

Ward L23 at the LGI was a Covid ward in March and April and in the past two weeks has been forced to become one again with elderly hospital admissions being ‘worse’ this time round.