Greg Hands MP for Chelsea and Fulham Writes to Residents

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Thank you to community initiatives helping residents and workers during Covid-19

Pappa Ciccia providing free meals to NHS workers

Dear Resident,

The past few months, as our community and country have battled with coronavirus, Chelsea and Fulham residents have demonstrated exceptional community spirit.

Coronavirus is the biggest challenge the UK has faced in decades–and we are not alone. All over the world we are seeing the devastating impact of this disease.

Week in and week out, across the country, and laudably across Chelsea and Fulham, residents joined together to pay tribute to the exceptional work of our NHS workers, first responders, care staff, and key workers. Although, the clap for carers was not the only community initiative which triumphed.

Throughout the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, communities across Chelsea and Fulham, much like the rest of the United Kingdom, joined together to support friends and neighbours.

Early on in the pandemic, the NHS sought to rally 250,000 volunteers for the battle on coronavirus, with volunteers being called up to help vulnerable people stay safe and well at home. Over 750,000 volunteers signed up, demonstrating the community spirit of our nation.

Locally, I have been delighted to see the hundreds of local volunteers teamed up to support vulnerable neighbours and communities, whether it be by picking up essential prescriptions, producing personal protective equipment for NHS workers, delivering food parcels, or telephoning an individual isolating alone.

One organisation locally which established an essential support network was St Etheldreda’s Church in Fulham. The Vicar of St Eth’s coordinated a local support network for vulnerable individuals and those self-isolating, across the Fulham community and the network of volunteers supported a plethora of residents through organising food shopping and delivery services for vulnerable and elderly individuals.

Greg Hands MP outside Pizza Hut

In addition to this, many restaurants across Fulham have provided hundreds of free meals to local NHS workers at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and Charing Cross Hospital throughout the pandemic. This includes Pappa Ciccia, Il Pagliaccio, and Pizza Hut, with the regional Pizza Hut having been nominated for the Government’s #FoodHeroes campaign which recognises outstanding individuals making a change in their community during coronavirus - hereby delivering over 800 free meals to NHS workers at local hospitals.

These are just a few examples of the excellent work seen across the Chelsea and Fulham community, with many more stories of individual acts of kindness being carried out in this unprecedented and challenging time.

As our local businesses, shops, restaurants and bars begin to reopen we have to come together once more to support these local businesses to aid our economic recovery. It is also important that we do not forget the tremendous efforts and sacrifices shown by our community as a whole and many residents individually and continue to follow the guidance, act safely, and practise social distancing.

The community spirit and collective effort in following the Government's guidance is key to the progress we are making.

Rt Hon Greg Hands MP

Member of Parliament for Chelsea and Fulham

For the latest government guidance and support available, please visit: www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

July 24, 2020