Heathrow helpers show their support

For those who are not in the category of key workers, the most important action to take whilst fighting coronavirus is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

During this unprecedented time, some of our colleagues have chosen to dedicate some of their spare time to support our NHS carers, help vulnerable neighbours or support their communities in other fantastic ways. We would like to recognise a couple of those Heathrow helpers and say a big thank you for their extraordinary and simple acts.

Noise Performance Manager, Jakub Hajko’s typical day involves assisting our airlines with flying quieter procedures. However, Jakub has now joined a group of more than 4,500 volunteers across the country with access to 3D printers, who are printing face shields that could be used to protect an NHS worker. 

If you have a 3D printer and would like to get involved, find out more information at www.3dcrowd.uk or support by donating on their Go Fund Me page.

Another colleague who is supporting the community is Security Operations Manager, Jaz Gill, who runs the charity InspiredByHope outside of Heathrow duties. In response to COVID-19, Jaz has joined up with like-minded charities to jointly support the NHS, vulnerable families, the elderly, the homeless and families that are currently self-isolating.

Along with volunteer chefs, Jaz’s charity is making around 4,000 meals a day for delivery to hospitals, shelters and family homes. Along with kitchen volunteers who help with packing the meals and delivery drivers, they aim to ensure no one goes a day without a meal. InspiredByHope are also beginning to provide support to pharmacies by dropping off medication to the elderly.

Jakub and Jaz’s selfless and kind acts demonstrate the best of some of our Heathrow Helpers during the COVID-19 crisis.

Other ways Heathrow is supporting the community

This month, Heathrow donated 6,000 face masks to NHS teams working at Thames Valley Air Ambulance and Hillingdon Hospital. The airport has reached out to other local frontline organisations to offer more stock of the FFP3 masks, recognising the ongoing need for key health workers across the UK to have access to specific personal protection equipment.

The airport has also provided educational resources to local schools and has redeployed Heathrow Community Rangers to assist with delivering donations to local food banks. In addition, the Heathrow Community Trust (HCT) granted £95,000 in rapid emergency funding for local community groups responding to COVID-19.

Keeping our passengers and colleagues safe

Heathrow is working closely with Public Health England to take all necessary steps to ensure the airport remains safely open during this pandemic. Hundreds of hand sanitiser dispensers have been installed across the airport, additional cleaning and sanitation procedures undertaken and signage and floor stickers to remind passengers to follow the government’s social distancing measures.

Heathrow is helping to cater for essential repatriation and cargo flights, which are also carrying essential medical equipment and supplies for frontline teams across the UK battling against this pandemic.

Keep up to date on our website to find out more on how our colleagues are supporting communities.