Liverpool-based national health cash plan provider, Medicash, is providing visors face masks and hand sanitisers via its Medicash Foundation during the coronavirus pandemic. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool-based national health cash plan provider, Medicash, has donated £100,000 worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) for North West healthcare workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Through its Medicash Foundation, the company has teamed up with local business Inovus Medical to produce much-needed visors. The first of the visors have been delivered to the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS).

It is also sourcing additional supplies of face masks and hand sanitisers for local key workers in care homes. The Medicash Foundation is working closely with NWAS, local NHS Trusts and the local councils to help distribute this personal protective equipment to those working on the front line across Merseyside and Cheshire.

Sue Weir, chief executive of Medicash and trustee of The Medicash Foundation, said:

“NHS and frontline workers are doing an outstanding and vital job to protect people right across the UK.

“Everyone at Medicash would like to thank them for the incredible work that they are carrying out. In our 150-year history, Medicash has endured several significant historic events, including a worldwide flu pandemic and two world wars.

“We felt that it was only right that we play our part through our charitable foundation to buy and donate essential PPE. We will continue to do all we can to provide support to those who need it most.”

The Medicash Foundation has also donated a further £75,000 to a range of charities impacted by the coronavirus crisis and who are still determined to support their local communities during these unprecedented times.

The lockdown announced by the Government on March 23 has had a significant impact on individuals and businesses and in particular, has been devastating for the charitable sector as demand for their services soars but their ability to fundraise is severely restricted.

Some of the charities supported so far include bereavement counselling through At a Loss, supporting local children through Cash for Kids, providing a frontline staff assistance programme at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and funding Bradbury Field’s appeal to support isolated blind and partially sighted people during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Ms Weir added: “These are just a few of the local charities that we have supported as their needs have changed as a result of COVID-19.

“Over the coming weeks and months, we will continue to support such appeals and call on other businesses who are in the position to help to continue to do so. It is how we act during times like these that define us as a nation.”