Strawberry Star Group has donated 800 N-90 quality protective masks to NHS West Essex and a number of residential care homes across Newham and Havering.

Santhosh Gowda (above), Chairman, Strawberry Star Group, says, “Covid-19 has immensely increased the burden of our healthcare network. These are extremely difficult and challenging times for frontline staff, who are at the greatest risk of contracting the virus. We wanted to extend our support to them by donating protective masks.”

“We know that N-90 masks are widely used beyond hospitals, by volunteers and care givers too, so we could see the potential to support the broader network of frontline key workers, such as those looking after the elderly.”

Strawberry Star has now donated 400 N-90 face masks to the NHS in Epping, to be used at St. Margaret’s Hospital and other local clinics. Another 400 masks were donated to Newham and Havering Councils, who will be using them to support the most vulnerable people.”

Meanwhile, Steven Kontou, Director, SK Estate Agency says, “We are based in Sheffield and we are currently offering nine apartments (see poster, right) in an apart-hotel to NHS workers to stay free of charge. The total cost of the guests stay is being covered by our agency,

“I am supporting the NHS is a cause close to my heart – both my wife and one of our part time members of staff are front line staff in the NHS dealing with Covid-19 patients.”

Guy Platt-Higgins (left), owner of Wallasey-based Skellens Estate Agents, said, “This is a ‘once in a lifetime’ crisis and I feel we all have to pull together to mitigate the impact of it.

“Through our commercial contacts we have sourced much needed PPE. Our urgent order for 2,500 World Health Organisation compliant surgical masks has just arrived and we are now busy delivering them to local health centres, GP practices, nursing homes, Arrowe Park Hospital and the police.”

“If they save a life or at least stop the spread of the virus then at least we have helped as best we can.

“This terrible pandemic has touched the lives of everyone in some way or other – including house movers whose plans have been put on hold. We all must try to look after each other as best we can.”

Update from Steven Kontou, 23rd April 2020

“Our estate agency business is in Sheffield and we are currently offering nine apartments in an apart-hotel to NHS workers to stay free of charge. The total cost of the guests stay is being covered by our agency.

“The apartments were recently refurbished. They are usually used as an apart-hotel for contractors, and general short stay guests. At this time of the year we would, typically, have guests staying for the snooker. We do not usually let them through the agency. They are ideal for guests really as they all have their own bathroom, kitchen, Wi-Fi, parking and they are all accessed via a remote key coded lock so no key exchange is required which is good for social distancing.

“My wife is called Kate Kontou, she is a Clinical Specialist Respiratory Physiotherapist. Kate says, “I have worked in the NHS for 10 years and seen what an amazing job everyone does first hand. It felt like the ideal opportunity to give something back.”

“Another colleague is also on the frontline was unable to give her name and a quote as she needs permission from the trust). She works on every Saturday for us in the agency and in the NHS five days a week. We have given her leave with full pay about six weeks ago as she is obviously needed more by the NHS at the moment.

“The apartments are located centrally between Hallamshire Hospital and Northern General Hospital so we are happy to accommodate people working in either hospital, or in community services. We would also take frontline staff from either Rotherham or Chesterfield.

“We currently have a guest who works at the Hospital as a Clinical Care Support worker dealing with Covid-19 patients. She is living with her parents who have both had the letter to self-isolate for a minimum of 12 weeks due to underlying health issues. Therefore, we are been able to offer her accommodation so she can go to work without worrying about putting her parents at risk.

“I am the director of the business and a Member of the RICS and a fellow of both ARLA and the NAEA. I have seen on the TV and first-hand what an amazing job the NHS and Key workers are doing but I feel a little helpless. I live and breathe property so donating the apartments to the NHS frontline was an easy decision.

“We are a business but making money is not important at this time, we need to do whatever we can to help support people fighting Covid-19.”

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