Health and care workers have thanked a hairdresser who donated shampoo while her business was temporarily closed due to the pandemic.
Staff working for Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust have to wash their hair many times during their daily shifts caring for patients with COVID-19 as part of the extensive infection control measures. The shampoo was used to boost existing stocks during a time of unprecedented demand.
Jamie Weston, a physiotherapy assistant, temporarily reassigned during the pandemic to a COVID-19 ward at Torbay Hospital, which is run by the Trust, was delighted when hairdresser Kara Pearson donated her whole professional shampoo stock from White Orchid (WO) Salon in Torquay which she runs.
Jamie, who was reassigned from her normal role to a COVID-19 ward, said: “We were having to wash our hair three times per shift and were running out of shampoo and conditioner each day to avoid infection. Due to washing our hair so much it was getting damaged from the normal high street branded shampoo and conditioner.
“I was overwhelmed when Kara donated WO salon’s whole stock. She kindly delivered the products to the hospital and we used them throughout the pandemic.
“The nurses, doctors, health care assistants, physiotherapists and occupational therapists and the domestic team all used the products. Having the professional quality shampoo helped lift the spirits of the team during the pandemic.”
Jamie also thanked local businesses for donations of shampoo and conditioner – Andrew Hill Salon, The Hair Boutique and Envy Hair – to the COVID-19 wards: “Thank you so much for all your kind donations it was greatly appreciated.”
Kara, who has relatives working at Torbay Hospital, said: “As we closed the doors of WO salon not knowing when we will re-open, my thoughts were actually already elsewhere with the frontline workers. I was delighted to do something to help the NHS heroes.
“I cleared all our retail stock and brought it up to the hospital for them to use or take home. They were so grateful for something so simple, as having the full-size bottles meant they could at least go a couple of weeks without purchasing any hair care.
“I received a few thank you messages which wasn’t necessary, as there just isn’t enough shampoo in the world to thank them for all efforts being made for the South West. The NHS has kept my family safe and I will be forever grateful for this.”
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is very grateful to everyone for their generous and overwhelming support during this pandemic.
If you wish to help there are a number of ways you can get in contact with the Trust’s Donations Team:
You can email tsdft.donation@nhs.net or telephone us on 07884440813. Our office is open for queries Monday-Friday 8.30 am – 4.30 pm. The office answerphone is available 24 hours a day and messages are checked regularly during office working hours. We guarantee to return your enquiry as soon as we can.
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