Washington shopkeeper who donated 12,000 hand sanitisers to frontline workers issues rallying call

Bob Singh, who runs Nisa Local in Barmston, has been hailed as a hero by members of the community for his efforts to help those most in need during the coronavirus outbreak.

Mr Singh, who has had the store for the last nine years, is donating essentials items to the homes of vulnerable and elderly people.

Thanks to the help of volunteers, Mr Singh has managed to arrange for vital goods to be dropped off on the doorsteps those who are unable to leave their homes due to COVID-19.

And he doesn’t stop there, working around the clock to ensure he is able to give help to those who need it.

The business owner even managed to source around 12,000 hand sanitisers for frontline workers, providing around 3,000 bottles free of charge to Sunderland City Council staff, and a further 9,000 bottles to NHS staff.

Mr Singh said: “While in lockdown people need to get their priorities right.

“There has been a massive shortage in the likes of hand sanitisers and some have been selling them on for a profit.

“But there is a crisis going on and I am not going to make money in a crisis.

“I put an advert up saying I had managed to get bottles of hand sanitiser and the council came to me and I donated the bottles to them.

“Since then I have donated a further 9,000 bottles to the NHS.”

In a post on its Facebook page Sunderland City Council said: “Bob had also previously given the council 3,000 bottles of hand sanitiser when it was in shortage for our front line staff.”

Now Mr Singh is calling on other business owners and members of the community to what they can to help others.

He said: “I am calling out to other businesses to follow suit and not sit on the fence when it comes to helping out.

“I have been in business for more than 20 years and I just want to give back.

“Now is the time to give back and I would say to others that people are not going to remember you for your flashy cars after all of this.

“I would urge other people who are in business who can do a little bit for the community to act now.”