The Hut Group donates 3.5 million PPE units to NHS

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
May 6, 2020

The Hut Group has revealed it will deliver 3.5 million units of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the health and care system in Greater Manchester to support frontline workers in the fight against Covid-19.

The owner of brands including Lookfantastic.com and Espa, one of the UK’s fastest-growing private firms, said the shipments include 150,000 face masks, 50,000 disposable masks, 950,000 surgical gloves and 184,000 face shields.

NHS staff will also receive 24,000 medical gowns, 1.5 million single gloves and 750,000 FF2 masks.

The project, worth £2 million, has been facilitated by The Hut Group’s global supply chain, which received a boost last week thanks to a new partnership with Singapore Airlines.

The Hut Group said it is working closely with the NHS in Greater Manchester and the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, to ensure the PPE is distributed across the city to those working for the NHS and frontline social care services, including hospices.

Matthew Moulding, CEO of THG, said: “NHS and frontline workers are doing an outstanding and vital job to protect people in the UK. It is only right that we play our part and utilise THG’s global network to source, buy and donate essential PPE. We want to show our appreciation and play our part in helping keep them safe."

The Manchester-based firm had already announced a £10 million coronavirus aid package to support vulnerable communities, as well as key workers and the emergency services in the UK and abroad.

And all 70 rooms in the group’s Manchester city hotels, Great John Street Hotel and King Street Townhouse, have been offered to NHS staff and Greater Manchester Police free of charge.

Mayor Andy Burnham said: “This is a truly amazing gesture by The Hut Group donating over £2m of vital PPE for frontline NHS and social care staff and freight costs. I’m proud that a Manchester-headquartered global business has used its international contacts and purchasing power to support us in our hour of need to save lives and protect the NHS. This comes on top of what they’ve already donated to support our frontline staff across Greater Manchester. What a great example of business stepping up to help others." 

The Hut Group is also airfreighting additional PPE for its staff.