Arco donates £72,000 to help fight Covid


The UK’s leading safety company, Arco, has come to the aid of Leonard Cheshire’s care homes to help to keep residents safe in these uncertain times.

The Hull-based safety experts have donated over £72,000 worth of PPE, including 20,000 bottles of hand sanitiser, 500 face masks and multiple pallets of disinfectant wipes. These products will be used by staff, residents, and visitors in homes across the country.

Last year, Leonard Cheshire, like many organisations, faced a PPE crisis. Following an appeal, many people, and organisations, including Arco, donated money, or equipment, allowing the organisation to continue its vital work around the UK.

But many care home residents continue to face increased risk of complications from COVID-19. Being vigilant and keeping increased safety measures in place remains a top priority for the charity. 

Leonard Cheshire’s Managing Director of UK Community Services Hugh Fenn said:

“We are hugely appreciative of Arco’s generosity. While we seem to be moving in the right direction in the UK, the need for PPE remains an important issue. Arco Managing Director, David Evison’s continued emphasis on community support and engagement is admirable. 

“I would also like to thank Andy Owen, Arco’s Head of Healthcare, who worked with us to provide this PPE equipment. Arco’s gift-in-kind will protect so many of our vulnerable residents as we continue to navigate this pandemic.”

Throughout the past year, Arco has emphasised the need for improved trading standards for PPE, to ensure the safety of health workers. The company ensures that products meet high standards, to minimise risk in a variety of settings.

Andy Owen, Head of Healthcare at Arco, said: 

“We believe that high quality safety equipment, especially PPE, is a vital part of any emergency strategy. With the instability of the past year, this has been more important than ever.

“At Arco, we recognise the importance of community and try to give back when we can. It has been a privilege to continue to support Leonard Cheshire’s vital work.”

Leonard Cheshire runs care homes, supported living facilities and services for over 3,000 disabled people across the UK supporting them to live, learn and work independently. At the height of the pandemic, they were spending over £400,000 on PPE a month, to ensure that residents, staff, and families were safe. Once again, needs are growing as this more virulent strain of the virus spreads. 

Leonard Cheshire is currently running an Emergency Covid-19 appeal to help protect carers and ensure their work can continue.


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