Thornton Practice PPG and North Fylde Rotary feed those in need during pandemic

Thornton Practice's patient participation group (PPG) put together over 200 hampers during the lockdown for schools in Thornton and Cleveleys, and vulnerable adults who lived alone.

The PPG liased with district nurses and pupil welfare staff in Thornton and Cleveleys primary schools, to identify families in need.

The group is made up of 12 volunteers, who gratefully received a £5,000 grant from North Fylde Rotary Club to give out a week's worth of food.

Gemma Jackson, 73, chairman of the PPG, said: "We couldn't have done any of this without the Rotary Club, we were so grateful.

"We had planned and organised all of the hampers since April, and delivered them ourselves. Morrisons in Cleveleys was also a huge help, bringing all of the food to us.

"We're the voice of the patients, and we do everything we can to help over 61,000 people who are registered the Thornton Practice."

The group also set up a "buddy line" when lockdown began, to ensure vulnerable or isolated adults would have someone to talk to if they were feeling lonely or worried.

"A PPG is what you make it, and all doctor's surgeries have one," Gemma continued.

"When I retired I decided I wanted to do something to make a difference in our community.

"There are so many good things communities can achieve if they just work together, and we were so pleased to be able to help those in need during this worrying time."