WITH care workers ill or self isolating, TV star, Joe Pasquale contacted Helping Hands to see if he could help with volunteering to deliver the much-needed equipment to ten branches around the London area.

Mr Pasquale said: “I’ve been doing this for a couple of weeks now. I just went on line and I thought there has got to be organisations that need some sort of help so I contacted Helping Hands.

“With so many people off ill and self-isolating, the crew that are normally doing it just aren’t able to get out there and get stuff out to the carers.”

The PPE equipment that Mr Pasquale delivered included hand sanitiser, face shields and high-protection FFP2 respiratory masks – vital equipment that is needed to protect front-line workers.

These were delivered to branches including Basildon, Chelmsford, Harlow, Chigwell, Dartford, Dulwich, Bromley, Barnet, Kensington and Chelsea and Highbury and Islington.

Julie Davies, area care manager for the branches that Joe visited, said: “He was a very genuine, down-to-earth and friendly guy. It was such a lovely encounter for our branches, and it was something that made the whole team smile.”

Laura Baldwin, care coordinator for the Harlow branch, added: “It was amazing to have Joe come into our branch and deliver PPE. He was so happy; it really made our day. I am so proud of everyone here at Helping Hands, they all work so hard in supporting our customers and they were thrilled that Joe was going out of his way to help them, whilst they’re out delivering high quality care during these unusual times.”

Mr Pasquale said: “I think with this current crisis we’re in if you pick up the phone or get on the internet and ask somebody can you actually do anything because nobody is going to knock on your door and ask you to do something.

“You have to get yourself out there and say, ‘do you need any help?”

Helping Hands has a network of over 100 branches across England and Wales, providing visiting and live-in care support to people living with conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s, and mobility difficulties.

Now in its 31st year and employing over 6,000 carers, the trusted home care provider has supported over 40,000 families starting.

If you would like more information on arranging care for you or a loved one, or are interested in becoming a carer, visit the Helping Hands website www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk or call 0333 414 3885 to enquire about care.