Caithness General Hospital staff clap for our community
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Staff at Caithness General Hospital have given a resounding clap for the community.
Every Thursday at 8pm the people of Caithness have joined in the national show of appreciation for frontline health and care workers in the Clap for Our Carers event. Last Thursday's clap – the 10th – is expected to be the last.
Hospital staff in Wick felt it was an appropriate time to return the compliment by staging their own event outside Caithness General in the sunshine on Monday.
Led by rural general hospital manager Pam Garbe, the staff stepped outside and clapped in a show of unity beneath lettering attached to the windows spelling out "Thank you Caithness".
Mrs Garbe said: “The support and generosity from the local community has been much appreciated and quite overwhelming.
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the many generous donations we have received during the coronavirus crisis.
“The donations – which have included money, medical equipment, personal protective equipment, meals, snacks, gifts for patients, electronic tablets, toiletries, engraved wooden plaque, offers of accommodation and cards and drawings from children – have been incredible and we feel humbled by the many expressions of gratitude we have received."
Though the big thank-you went to all in Caithness there were some selfless souls such as Amalie Johnston and her husband Richard from the Corner Café in Wick who went over and above to provide good-quality meals to hospital staff free of charge.
Thousands of pounds went into creating the dishes, with the café team helped out by funding from North Highland Construction Training Group, through Mike Hammerton, Craig Harvey and Kyle Henderson.
Kyle said: "We heard that the canteen was going to be closed. Nothing is more appreciated than a hot meal."
He explained that the group had some surplus funds. "The money was not being used just now and we wanted to use it for something productive."
The Corner Café also sent out a huge thanks to Ian and Elaine Horne from Whisky on Tour for their "very generous donations" allowing baking to also be given out to NHS staff along with delivery orders for elderly people.
Mrs Garbe added: “The public’s acknowledgement and support has been uplifting and this is much appreciated despite many people facing their own struggles at such a difficult time.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all staff who have worked above and beyond their normal duties.”
