Tech charity initiative Bytes for Heroes has been set up by technology entrepreneur Peter Rossi to feed as many NHS workers as possible during the coronavirus pandemic. Since the initiative launched, Bytes for Heroes has raised over £40,000 and provided over 10,000 hot meals to NHS frontline heroes. As we’re now approaching a new phase of this pandemic, the Bytes for Heroes team are launching a program throughout July and August called “The Shift Lift” whereby catering teams across London and Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle will be providing £20,000 worth of Deliveroo vouchers for delicious food and snacks and takeaways to our NHS heroes, and giving them a lift after their shift!

Having secured funding to support the NHS in London, Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle, Peter has chosen to support staff at specialist cancer hospitals including The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in London where his school friend Deborah James, aka ‘Bowel Babe’, is treated.

Cancer hospitals continued to provide treatments throughout the pandemic, working hard to make vulnerable patients feel safe coming to hospital, as well as caring for patients with COVID-19. As specialist cancer hospitals weren’t overwhelmed with COVID in the same way as general hospitals, they acted quickly to work with NHS England, local networks and the private sector to create COVID-protected Cancer Hubs. With ringfenced theatre space and intensive care beds, they were able to offer surgery to patients whose operations had been cancelled elsewhere. Thousands of cancer patients were able to access surgery thanks to such Cancer Hubs, with the Hubs now helping to recover normal services. Staff working in these specialist hospitals now coming out of the pandemic are looking ahead to meeting peaks in demand as referrals for cancer treatment increase post-lockdown.

At a time when the majority of food outlets are only just reopening, Bytes for Heroes is mobilising the technology and catering industries to join forces and help boost staff morale and show appreciation for their dedication and hard work.

Bytes for Heroes is looking for donations from local and national tech firms across the UK to donate by supporting #ShiftLift or by straight donations to fund supporting local caterers and the keyworkers at hospitals across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Donations can be across the UK or specific to local hospitals close to company offices or which have a particular importance. It is also on the lookout for more caterers across the region to work with us to ensure this can see us through the next few and undoubtedly challenging weeks.

#ShiftLift #TogetherWeAreStronger

For more information on getting involved, please visit www.bytesforheroes.com.