Grasmere Gingerbread® is in the middle of sending out 200 parcels of its tasty confectionery to hospital wards, nursing homes, paramedics, social care staff and other key workers dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
After a newsletter asked customers to nominate workers who might enjoy a slice of Grasmere Gingerbread® during their tea break, suggestions poured in from all over the country.
“Some of the nominations were heartfelt and really moving, often from people with relatives or friends working directly with Covid-19 patients,” said Joanne Hunter, co-director of Grasmere Gingerbread®.
The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop is now closed to the public and due to health and safety guidelines only the bakery manager works in the kitchen producing a restricted supply of Grasmere Gingerbread® for mail order customers.
“We only thought we would get a couple of dozen nominations but we were inundated so quickly,” explained Joanne.
“As soon as we started reading the contents of the nominations we decided to honour every one. But with our limited production it has taken us over three weeks to have them dispatched across the country.
“Some of the personal messages that have accompanied the nominations have reduced me to tears. I am in awe of the people who are caring for us as a nation – from doctors and nurses risking their lives on the frontline to many backroom staff who do so much unsung work.”
Comments from recipients of Grasmere Gingerbread® have included ‘little things mean so much’, ‘morale boost’, ‘chuffed to be recognised’ and ‘you put a smile on our faces’.
“Even the Chief Executive of one NHS Trust took time out to write to us personally which was incredible,” said Joanne.
“One comment from a medical centre has stayed with me. It said ‘We received our gingerbread this morning, just after our minutes silence for our fallen colleagues. Needless to say, we were all very emotional. Thank you for such a wonderfully kind gesture.’
“When lockdown happened I didn’t know what we could do to help but I felt we had to do something to show that we cared about the carers.”
