Alliance Healthcare Team Member Along with Owner of Peel Green Pharmacy Recognised with the Mayor of Preston's Coronavirus Community Hero Award

We are delighted that Zak Patel, our Leigh Service Centre Manager, and Nasim Patel, owner of Peel Green Pharmacy, have received this special award, along with associates, for establishing Fulwood Foodbank, to support Preston residents in need through the pandemic.

On a weekly basis the group delivered food parcels to families that had been referred to them by Preston City Council, schools and colleges, and local charities.  Supermarkets in the area donated essential food items, as well as nappies and formula, while other local businesses and residents made generous financial contributions – some weeks it was in excess of £7,000!

At the height of the pandemic, they were supporting 2,000 families with three meals a day, seven days a week – that’s a staggering 42,000 meals a week!

Commenting on the award, Managing Director Julian Mount says: “It is fantastic recognition that Zak Patel, our Leigh Service Centre Manager, has been formally recognised by the Mayor of Preston for his local community support work in the height of the pandemic.  Zak is a true example to us all in selflessly putting his community first.  I want to thank Zak for being such a great example to us all.”

Zak Patel says: “I’m proud of how we have been able to help our community and it’s an honour to be recognised. The pandemic has quashed the myth that food banks are just for those sleeping rough as people with homes and jobs have been reliant on them through COVID. It’s heartening to see what can be achieved when we work together.”

Nasim Patel, Peel Green Pharmacy, says: “As a pharmacist I could see that patients were experiencing hardship and struggling before the pandemic. I knew that COVID would amplify the situation and wanted to be able to support the most vulnerable in our community.”

Alliance Healthcare is proud of the vital role its team members play to support the NHS, independent pharmacy and the communities it serves.