By Steve Neville
A fundraising campaign to feed frontline workers has delivered 55,000 meals, just four weeks after being set up.
More than 15,500 donors have contributed to Feed The Heroes, raising more than €930,000 so far.
Feed The Heroes said 15% of the meals delivered each day go to Intensive Care Units and High Dependency Units while a further 15% go to emergency responders such as paramedics who are conducting home testing and community care.
Each meal costs around €7 to prepare and deliver.
"It is incredible to think that only four weeks ago we kicked of this campaign with little more than good sentiment and some takeaway phone numbers." said Feed The Heroes Fund founder, Cian O’Flaherty.
"During that time our meal deliveries have become much more than just food. It has become a social connection, a reminder that despite being physically distant we are all connected.
It is a real privilege to be able to support critical frontline workers in this way. Our objective is to continue to do so for the duration of Ireland’s emergency response. We remain entirely reliant on donations and the generosity of the Irish people.
"The support has been amazing to date and we would ask people to continue to support in whatever way they can.
"With each meal costing approximately €7 to prepare and deliver even the smallest amount can make a real difference."
Kevin Nugent, owner of Mr Waffle, Galway, added that “the nurses and frontline staff in UCHG have supported my business since the day it opened and I am very grateful for their support throughout the years, so when the outbreak happened I wanted to give back and support the frontline heroes by supplying them with lunches each day.
"The business has been closed since the 15th of March but we have still managed to provide lunches thanks to our GoFundMe and Feed The Heroes."
He said they have provided 4,200 lunches so far.
Individuals who wish to make a donation can contribute on the Feed The Heroes go fund me page here.
