Deliveroo has today announced that it has delivered half a million free meals to NHS heroes working on the frontline during the coronavirus pandemic and other vulnerable groups, hitting the campaign target the company set two months ago.
Frontline NHS staff across 103 cities and 1,000 hospital sites in the UK have enjoyed free meals from 43 restaurant partners. The free meals have been delivered by hundreds of Deliveroo riders and couriers who have travelled more than 10,000 miles during the course of NHS deliveries.
To mark meeting the campaign target, and in recognition of the astounding work of frontline staff to keep the nation safe, Deliveroo today announces that it will offer 70,000 £10 discount vouchers to NHS staff, who have previously signed up to Deliveroo, and will deliver another 100,000 free meals throughout June. In total, the campaign will deliver 600,000 free meals and more than 150,000 discount vouchers to NHS staff.
From today, 70,000 NHS workers with a Deliveroo account will receive a £10 discount voucher so they are able to order from their favourite local restaurant and eat from the comfort of their own home.
These discounts follow the 85,000 £20 vouchers made available in April, meaning NHS workers will have saved a total of £2.4 million in food costs from Deliveroo during the crisis.
Deliveroo made its 500,000th delivery to the Bristol Infirmary Hospital with staff praising Deliveroo and their restaurant partners for helping raise morale during COVID-19. Deliveries have also been made to charities supporting vulnerable groups, such as St Mungo’s, Look Ahead and Magic Breakfast.
Deliveroo has been able to do this thanks to the staggering kindness of its customers, who have raised nearly £600,000, and restaurant partners who donated the free meals. In total, 43 restaurant partners donated free meals to the campaign, with Pizza Hut the lead partner. Other lead partners include: German Donor Kebab, Nando’s, KFC, Itsu, Burger King, Neat Burger, Bella Italia, Chilango, Shake Shack, Leon, Tortilla, Dishoom and Mildreds.
Corporate donors have also given generously to Deliveroo’s campaign. Lead corporate partner American Express joined forces to ensure Deliveroo was in a position to deliver all 500,000 meals. Furthermore, American Express, alongside other corporate partners, including the Reuben Foundation, funded thousands of vouchers for NHS workers to enable them to order free meals to their homes.
Deliveroo will continue to fundraise in-app. Any excess funding not spent on food or delivery will be given directly to selected NHS Trusts.
Will Shu, CEO and founder of Deliveroo, said, “We are incredibly proud to have delivered half a million free meals to NHS staff and hospitals across the UK, and we’re pleased to be able to keep going. This is all thanks to our dedicated riders, the generosity of our restaurant partners and of course our customers who have donated so much.
'This is a small gesture of thanks for NHS staff’s huge efforts. They have worked night and day to save lives and protect us all. As the founder of a British business, nothing makes me more proud than to use the network we have built to thank the NHS and their staff, who are the real heroes of this crisis.”
Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health, said, “I am delighted that Deliveroo and their restaurant partners have delivered half a million free meals to NHS staff across the country. This is a fantastic example of how the country has stepped up to support our great NHS and frontline staff who have worked tirelessly for the nation.”
Barry Appleton, Bristol Royal Infirmary, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, said, “The hospital staff have been truly touched by the public support we’ve received in our hour of need.
'The size and scale of delivering half a million meals to frontline NHS staff is an incredibly impressive feat and has made such a difference to staff morale. We are extremely grateful for this act of kindness shown by Deliveroo and their restaurant partners.”