Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Business
James Andrews

Coronavirus: Uber and Deliveroo handing out 600,000 free meals to NHS workers

Uber is to give away 200,000 free trips and 100,000 meals to NHS staff serving on the frontline during the coronavirus pandemic.

The company said that from Monday it will cover workers' meals and journeys in order to help reduce the pressure on the "heroes" helping affected patients.

But it's not alone, with Deliveroo adding it will be handing out 500,000 free meals to frontline workers as well.

Uber chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi hopes the free trips will be a "small way" to help the nurses, doctors and support staff of the NHS as they work "tirelessly" day and night.

The service will commit 200,000 free trips up to a value of £15 each while Uber Eats will cover the staff with a £10 voucher they can use to buy a meal from restaurants and convenience stores in more than 150 towns and cities across the UK.

The free rides and meals can be claimed by anyone with an NHS email address by signing up on Uber's website.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who tested positive for the virus on Friday, said: "Everyone has a role to play in our national effort to help the NHS tackle coronavirus, so it's great to see Uber playing their part by offering meals and trips to work for our brilliant NHS staff."

Deliveroo is also handing out free food (Bloomberg)

Deliveroo has let customers donate through the app, with the money going to meals for hospital staff.

Already, Pizza Hut has promised 300,000 meals - including pizzas, side salads and pasta dishes - while Itsu and Neat Burger restaurant have also donated.

So far 500,000 meals have been donated.

Most of these will go to NHS staff, but Deliveroo said it will continue to give free food to vulnerable people during the pandemic.

Hancock added: "I'm delighted that Deliveroo and partners are playing their part in this great national effort with half a million meals for the NHS.

"We can best come through this if we pull together."

Deliveroo founder Will Shu added: "Those in the NHS working night and day to save lives are the real heroes of this crisis, and we want to do our small part to support them and the vulnerable who aren't able to leave their homes."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.