Ambulance staff in south Manchester have been gifted with handwritten cards and boxes of presents as they continue to care for the local community during the pandemic.
The ‘heart-to-heart’ campaign by members of the World Mission Society Church of God saw 100 boxes delivered to staff at Sharston Ambulance station in Wythenshawe on Sunday (January 31).
The boxes included snacks, personal protective equipment and handwritten and decorated cards.
Messages of support featured in the cards included 'tough times never last, tough people do' and 'your dedication is much appreciated'.
Volunteer Olivia Smith was one of those to take part in the project and said it was about showing thanks to local key workers.
“My mum works for the NHS so I know how hard it is seeing what she goes through,” Olivia said.
“I really look up to my mum and all of the NHS workers who are doing this work.
"They really are modern day heroes and are working hard to save lives.”
Read more of today's stories here
The campaign is the third to be carried out during the pandemic by volunteers from the World Mission Society’s young adult group ASEZ WAO, which stands for Save the Earth from A to Z as We Are One Family.
They try to promote change through selfless deeds.
The group has around three million followers in 175 countries and 7,500 churches worldwide.
Members in Greater Manchester have previously delivered boxes to ambulance staff in Sale and Altrincham.
Upon receiving the boxes, members of staff at Sharston Ambulance station were said to be ‘overwhelmed’ by the tokens of gratitude.
“It has been a busy, difficult times for everybody and we appreciate everything that people have done for us,” one worker named Carl told the volunteer group.
“It’s a bit humbling, we don’t feel like we deserve it, we are here because we love doing what we are doing and it is you guys that are doing this amazing work in the community that keep us going.”
Rob Silcock, operations manager at North West Ambulance Service, added: “This was a really kind gesture from the church group, the boxes were well received by all the staff at the station and the handwritten messages meant a lot in what has been a challenging period for us all.
“I would like to thank them for all the support they’ve shown to the ambulance service.”
