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Apr 2020

Last Updated: 28/04/2020

Harrogate bar to deliver hundreds of free pizzas to care homes

by Connor Creaghan

| 28 Apr, 2020

A Harrogate bar has promised to keep delivering pizza to frontline key workers after donating hundreds to the town's Nightingale hospital and two care homes.

A Harrogate bar has promised to keep delivering pizza to frontline key workers after donating hundreds to the town's Nightingale hospital and two care homes.

Major Tom's Social gave away 200 pizzas at the Nightingale Hospital and donated a further 60 to Station View care centre and The Cuttings extra care housing scheme, which are both in Starbeck.

Lee Bellwood starts preparing the food at 8am in the bar's kitchen before co-owner Tony Smith starts the delivery run from 12pm to 2pm.

They plan to deliver pizzas to various care homes every Thursday to coincide with the "clap for key workers" event as well as another run at the Nightingale hospital if it needs the support.

Toby said: “We have always seen ourselves as a community venue and during these weird and testing times it’s given us a perfect positive opportunity to get out into the local community and give something back by cooking and donating a load of pizzas to hardworking care workers and NHS staff at the Nightingale hospital. We will continue to donate our pizzas for as long as we can.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp6XJC8h1ZA&feature=youtu.be

Samantha Westwood, registered manager at Station View, said: “It was just fantastic. It was really good to boost morale at a time when everyone is working hard and doing brilliantly. The staff were so happy, you could see them all lift.

“As no-one can go out for meals at the minute it was a welcome boost to get some food delivered. It helped to bring everyone together as well and created a lovely ambience for the afternoon. At the minute, all our staff are putting in 150 per cent and this provided a wonderful boost.”

Sue Cawthray, CEO of Harrogate Neighbours Housing Association, added: “The pizzas were delicious and the staff feel appreciated. It was a real morale booster.”

Richard Webb, North Yorkshire County Council’s corporate director of health and adult services, said: “Major Tom’s Social is a great independent café, bar and venue in the centre of Harrogate. It’s closed at the moment, but the team there are volunteering to deliver pizzas to support and thank key workers. They have delivered to the NHS and I’m delighted that they have taken time to provide pizzas to people at The Cuttings and Station View.