Kilkenny frontline staff take major delivery of PPE from Heroes-Aid
A non-for profit organisation set up in response to Covid-19 to protect and support frontline health care workers is set to make a major delivery of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to frontline workers across Kilkenny.
Heroes-Aid, a voluntary not-for-profit organisation, established in the early stage of the Coronavirus pandemic, is arranging for the direct distribution of 4,000 surgical masks, 210 gowns, and 50 FFP2 face masks to four Kilkenny sites.
The four centres in Kilkenny to receive the PPE are among 200 locations across Ireland which will take delivery of 250,000 face masks, 10,000 visors, 7,000 gowns and 9,000 high specification FFP2 face masks to hospitals, GP practices, nursing homes, and a number of NGO’s.
In its first three months, Heroes-Aid has made a number of significant deliveries of PPE nationwide. However, the distribution this week marks the largest to-date to Ireland’s frontline healthcare workers.
The PPE deliveries will also include charities with a focus on the homeless sector including Simon Community; The Peter McVerry Trust; COPE Galway; Merchant’s Quay Ireland; SafetyNet Primary Care; and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Dr Maitiú Ó Tuathail, Medical Director of Heroes-Aid said: “We are still seeing a high demand for PPE from frontline workers, in particular our GPs, who are the first line of defence against Covid 19. These deliveries of PPE will allow our frontline workers and heroes continue to care for their patients safely.”
“Heroes-Aid does not aim to replace HSE PPE deliveries, but to address urgent shortages and act as a bridge between deliveries. Our work is very much complementary to the great work being undertaken by the HSE and every cent raised to date has provided PPE to those on the frontline,” he said.
This delivery by Heroes-Aid has been made possible by the incredible fundraising effort of individuals and groups across Ireland, who in just two months gathered donations of €250,000 from members of the public.
Heroes-Aid was established on a voluntary basis by Mary Leahy, a Public Health Nurse who is now CEO of the organisation.