Arco, the UK’s leading safety company, has donated over £50,000 worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies to the HEY Smile Foundation, a leading local charity working with organisations in the health and community support sectors. This PPE will be distributed to local groups and charitable organisations across Hull and East Yorkshire and will help support some of the most vulnerable people in society ahead of the challenging winter period.

With the Government publishing its COVID-19 response plans for autumn and winter, it’s clear that continued vigilance is required as the winter months approach and COVID-19, flu and other seasonal viruses become more prevalent. The donation of PPE stock, including disposable face masks and aprons, will directly support local groups and charities to continue to provide critical services safely throughout this period.

The delivery to the HEY Smile Foundation was facilitated by Arco’s delivery partner XPO Logistics and Men in Sheds, in Hornsea, has offered to store the 16 pallets of PPE to enable Smile to promote and distribute to groups where it is most needed.

Andy Owen, Head of Sector- Healthcare at Arco, said: “Arco is delighted to have made this donation of PPE to the HEY Smile Foundation to distribute for community use.  Our core promise is Your World Made Safer. We know that this donation will help a number of charities and local groups to continue their work safely, providing support to some of the most vulnerable people in Hull and the East Riding over the coming winter months.”

Tessa Wray, Smile’s Business Developer, said: “Receiving donations of this nature enables Smile to identify organisations that would benefit most from them.  Working with our trusted partners, we’re able to distribute donations to organisations efficiently, ensuring surplus goods are re-used to benefit the community, saving charitable organisations’ money and, at the same time, supporting Arco’s charitable objectives and ethos.

“Going into winter, respiratory conditions are going to be a major challenge for the NHS. This is a very welcomed donation for charitable organisations who are supporting vulnerable groups across Hull and East Yorkshire.”

Anna Harvatt, Community Engagement Manager at Arco, said: “As an active supporter of a range of community partnerships, Arco was pleased to make this donation of PPE, including disposable masks and aprons, to the HEY Smile Foundation to support charities and local groups across the communities of Hull and the East Riding.

“Supporting our communities is a really important part of Arco’s culture and ethos and is driven by our core goal of keeping people safe.”

Voluntary and Community Organisations looking to stock up on disposable masks and aprons this winter, please contact Michelle Barnes at HEY Smile Foundation mb@heysmilefoundation.org