Sky engineers donate over £1500 of their ‘lunch money’ to NHS workers and foodbanks

Hamilton man Bryan Ferguson suggested to his colleagues that they chip in with their daily £5 Tesco voucher from their company to buy lunch.

A brilliant bunch of broadband and TV engineers have been supporting hospital staff and foodbanks by donating their ‘lunch money’.

Sky workers have been receiving a daily £5 Tesco voucher from their company to buy lunch while working TV and internet jobs throughout Lanarkshire and beyond.

Hamilton man Bryan Ferguson suggested to his colleagues covering the north region – Hamilton, Glasgow, and Ayrshire – that they chip in some of their vouchers and buy food for over-stretched NHS workers and foodbanks that are low in stock.

The 32-year-old dad of two was amazed at the response from his generous colleagues, raising over £1500 over the past week.

Bryan said: “A few of my workmates at Sky have family and friends who work in the NHS so they were all keen to show support and donate their vouchers to pay for things like juice, tea, coffee and snacks.

“We spoke to nurses and these were the types of things they requested because they’re so run off their feet right now and are struggling to get breaks.

“We’ve been in touch with four different nurses at hospitals in Glasgow and Ayrshire, and have split £1000 worth of food between the four of them.”

Bryan also got in touch with Hamilton District Foodbank and asked for a shopping list of items they were short of for needy families and the most vulnerable.

Spending around £300 worth of vouchers for Tesco and Asda, Bryan picked up various items such as tinned foods, noodles, toiletries, and dog and cat food too.

“We’re planning to donate to Larkhall Foodbank too as I spoke to a member of Trinity Parish Church who is involved with the foodbank,” said Bryan.

“I’m on holiday from work this week so I’m just busy organising these donations. Our bosses at Sky are massively behind us offering our food vouchers to good causes, and they have been really supportive by chipping in more too.

“I’m hoping we can continue with this food donation scheme as it’s going well. Yesterday (Monday) we raised over £500 in one day.”

Hamilton District Foodbank volunteer Isobel Graham said: “Bryan turned up yesterday in his Sky van packed with shopping bags for us. He brought his lovely wee girl along and we were delighted to receive the donations.

“Two teams from South Lanarkshire Council are helping us deliver parcels during the week, and a team from SSE are helping us with a van. Scottish Gas have also offered the use of one of their vans.

“It’s fantastic to get lots of help, but we do hope it keeps coming because as soon as the food donations are coming in, they’re going back out to households again.”

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Written by

Samantha Day

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