Northern Ireland

Derry businesses make sure nurses get their Easter eggs

Adrian Kelly and his staff at Eurostar in Derry's Creggan helped put together 82 hampers for nurses who are isolating as they fight the coronavirus.
Adrian Kelly and his staff at Eurostar in Derry's Creggan helped put together 82 hampers for nurses who are isolating as they fight the coronavirus. Adrian Kelly and his staff at Eurostar in Derry's Creggan helped put together 82 hampers for nurses who are isolating as they fight the coronavirus.

DERRY stores have joined forces with a city taxi company and Creggan Enterprises to make sure nurses fighting the coronavirus did not go without their Easter treats.

The stores put together more than 80 luxury hampers and delivered them to nurses who were self-isolating in local hotels.

Adrian Kelly of Kelly's Eurospar in Creggan and Hatmore, was joined by Henderson's Eurospar in Rossdowney and Lynch’s Spar at Skeoge in the initiative along with Creggan Enterprises and Glassagh Taxis.

Mr Kelly said it was the very least the community could do, given the sacrifices the nurses were making.

“The nurses are serving on the frontline, spending Easter in isolation away from their families,” he said.

The Derry businessman said other businesses showed no hesitation in joining the initiative as soon as he suggested it. The first hampers - containing Easter eggs, chocolates, treats, snacks and a bottle of Cava – were delivered to nurses staying at the city's Holiday Inn.

Conal McFeely of Creggan Enterprises said the community response to the pandemic in Derry was very strong.

Mr McFeely said: “Our nurses’ courage and dedication at this worrying time has been steadfast and vital. It is inspiring to see initiatives like this which recognise and salute the contribution being made by those on the frontline on our behalf.”

Mr McFeely said everyone hoped it wouldn’t be long before the nurse could return to their families.