Over 200 meals delivered to NHS staff after a Houghton tearoom joins forces with a five-year-old girl who has raised over £240 selling rainbows

Wysteria Avenue in Houghton-le-Spring have teamed up with five-year-old Jessica Willey from Washington to deliver over 200 packed lunches to NHS staff at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
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Staff at Sunderland Royal Hospital received a surprise on Wednesday, April 22 when over 200 packed lunches were delivered courtesy of Wysteria Avenue in Houghton-le-Spring and 5-year-old Jessica Willey.

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She received donations for her work from as far as Florida and at the time of writing has raised £245.

Wysteria Avenue owner Joe Mccormick said that seeing the faces of the NHS staff was "so rewarding".Wysteria Avenue owner Joe Mccormick said that seeing the faces of the NHS staff was "so rewarding".
Wysteria Avenue owner Joe Mccormick said that seeing the faces of the NHS staff was "so rewarding".

Her mum Andrea has expressed her pride for what Jessica has done and said that the feedback was great.

“I can’t believe what Jessica has achieved, I’m so proud of what she has managed to do.

“The feedback that we have received from all the staff has been wonderful, it was so nice to see where the money has gone.

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“I can’t thank Wysteria Avenue enough for everything that they’ve done for us.”

Wysteria Avenue in Houghton-le-Spring joined forces with five-year-old Jessica Willey to provide over 200 packed lunches for NHS staff at Sunderland Royal Hospital.Wysteria Avenue in Houghton-le-Spring joined forces with five-year-old Jessica Willey to provide over 200 packed lunches for NHS staff at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
Wysteria Avenue in Houghton-le-Spring joined forces with five-year-old Jessica Willey to provide over 200 packed lunches for NHS staff at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Lunches were delivered to staff across the hospital including those working in A&E, ICCU, maternity and on the Covid-19 ward.

Joe Mccormick is the owner of Wysteria Avenue who did the catering for free, using the money to only buy the supplies needed for the packed lunches.

He said: “The response from all the staff was fantastic. Some of them got emotional when I explained Jessica’s story.

“Just to see their faces, it was so rewarding.

Jessica Willey, aged five from Washington has been receiving donations for rainbows that she's painted from as far as Florida.Jessica Willey, aged five from Washington has been receiving donations for rainbows that she's painted from as far as Florida.
Jessica Willey, aged five from Washington has been receiving donations for rainbows that she's painted from as far as Florida.
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“We’ve been asked to cater for a doctors 40-years service next week which we’re also going to do for free.”

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Wysteria Avenue owner Joe Mccormick with NHS staff.Wysteria Avenue owner Joe Mccormick with NHS staff.
Wysteria Avenue owner Joe Mccormick with NHS staff.

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