Kind hearted members of the GMB Trade Union in Yorkshire & North Derbyshire donated seven boxes of toiletries to Pinderfields Hospital to help those in need.

GMB administrator, Jessica Carrington, saw an appeal on The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust’s Facebook page a few months previously asking for essential toiletry items so they could be made up into comfort packs which are provided to patients who are in need of toiletries but do not have them, as well as those at end of life on wards across the Trust.

Jessica put an appeal out to GMB members and representatives of the union and helped organise drop off points at Fitness Flex in Pontefract, GMB Headquarters in Wakefield and Ackworth hairdressers Scissor Happy.

The response was magnificent, with seven big boxes of deodorant, bubble bath, toothbrushes and toothpaste, combs, body butters, flannels, soaps, shampoo and talcum powder collected. They were brought into Pinderfields this week ready to be made into packs and distributed across the Trust.

Gwen Shackelton, Voluntary Services Co-Ordinator for the Trust, said: “We are overwhelmed at this wonderful response to our appeal for comfort pack toiletries for our patients who are emergency admissions and are in need of basic toiletries. The comfort packs will be very well received and appreciated by our patients and help to make a distressing situation a little more bearable. Our sincere thanks and appreciation go to the members of GMB Trade Union for their outstanding generosity.”

Jessica Carrington said:  “When I saw the appeal I thought what a fantastic cause to help with.  The hospital is on our door step at the GMB and I know that our members are always fantastic when it comes to supporting a worthy cause.  I am sure they will be put to good use and they will make the patients’ stay that bit easier whilst in hospital.”