Sunderland firm helps Hartlepool nurse after vandals smash her windscreen during A&E shift

Like her fellow NHS colleagues, Hollie Coates has been battling hard at the frontline of the health crisis during the coronavirus pandemic.

But, she finished a busy 13-hour shift at James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, at the weekend to find that vandals had smashed her rear window.

She put out a post on Facebook saying: “Just wanting to warn all staff to be careful where they are parking.

“This is particularly upsetting at a time when we are all working above and beyond and doing extra shifts during annual leave to pull together to fight this nasty and life-threatening virus.”

The post was shared thousands of times on the social media platform and, after spotting the shared post, Mick Belford of Sunderland-based Kwikscreens immediately offered to help.

The next day, before the lockdown, he and his colleagues headed down the A19 to fix the window for free.

Speaking about the act of kindness, Hollie said: “Could not recommend Mick and his company more, done an amazing job and are really nice genuine guys.

“Even kinder of him to be so generous during these uncertain times we are all going through.

Please help me to repay him and show his page some support and be sure to use them if you ever need this service.”

Mick said: “As a kind gesture, and to show her that we appreciate everything the NHS staff do for us, we decided to supply and fit a new heated rear window completely free of charge to show our appreciation for all they do for us.

“A small act of kindness keeps a nurse able to go in to do her shifts and keep helping us all.”

Mick, who runs the mobile family firm with his dad, Mick, and brother, Joshua, said: “Hollie is a really nice and caring person and we are happy to have been able to help her.”