Workers from a major Cumbrian company have been supporting the community during the Covid-19 crisis.

Staff from Story Contracting and Story Homes have put in over 500 volunteering hours to support vulnerable communities, key workers and emergency services in the county, where the two companies are headquartered.

They have worked with Cumbria County Council, Carlisle City Council, Cumbria CVS and other local support groups.

Work included providing a site cabin for the North West Ambulance Service; picking up and delivering PPE from Newcastle for Cumbrian hospitals and GPs; providing spare PPE for NHS staff; making scrubs for NHS staff; carrying out more than 200 foodbank deliveries; picking up food from Marks and Spencer, Bells of Lazonby and others to donate to foodbanks and frontline staff; donating 1,000 acetate sheets to Tech4 Office Equipment Ltd to make face shields for front-line staff; helping schools with laptops for children; picking up hundreds of aid packages from Primark for frontline staff; and delivering donated fridges and freezers for foodbanks.

They have also donated activity packs for children living in Story Homes developments and delivered Easter treats to NHS staff and the local community.

Staff have also raised over £2,800 for charity partners and others who need help.

Owner Fred Story said: “As a local business it is really important that we do all we can to support our community during this difficult period.

“I’m proud of what we are all achieving together as a community to help and support those on the front line in the fight against Covid-19.

“And of course, the added benefit of helping and demonstrating kindness to others is that it is good for our own mental health and wellbeing, which is something we take very seriously at both Story Contracting and Story Homes.”

Over the past two years, Story Contracting and Story Homes selected Mind as their charity partner, with staff and the business fundraising to support the mental health charity.