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

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.

The gesture was inspired by Jessica who has been painting rainbows and selling them during the lockdown.

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

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.

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

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.

“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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