We highlight here another astonishing act of generosity from a county firm keen to stand up and be counted as the nation copes with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Patients on the wards of the Nightingale superhospital established in London to deal directly with those suffering the very worst effects of the Covid-19 virus will be dining courtesy of Ecotricity.

Or rather the Stroud based firm's 'plant-based food' subsidiary, Devil's Kitchen, which through its partner Compass has sent 75,000 of its spicy meatballs to serve to patients and staff.

The firm's owner, Dale Vince, admits it was unable to give the food away without charging, but said all proceeds would be given straight back to the NHS.

And it is not the only impact the group of company's under Mr Vince's watch is having - with Forest Green Rovers Football Club already ahead of the game - having offered its hostel to NHS staff for free.

"We're keen to do whatever we can in this crisis and in this case it's also super healthy food, which is a bonus for anyone that's ill," said Mr Vince.

"We're supplying these through one of our wholesale catering partners, Compass - we've been working together for a while supplying schools - it's great to be chosen for NHS menus.

"We wanted to gift the food but the supply chain makes that a little difficult so we're going to donate our proceeds to the NHS, to achieve the same end."

He added: "Our FGR Academy hostel in Stroud is busy - we opened it for local frontline staff in need of somewhere to stay, a couple of weeks ago - and as of this week it's fully occupied - with 12 people booked in for the next 12 weeks. Really pleased to have been able to do this.

"Thanks to social media for making this happen and to the Ecotricity staff that have been organising it."

All of which is why Punchline has named Ecotricity, Forest Green and Devil's Kitchen as a Business and Community Champion.

The campaign is an initiative backed by the Gloucestershire local enterprise partnership, GFirst LEP, and the Growth Hub, which runs the network of business support centres county-wide.

The aim of the campaign - to shine the spotlight on some of the great work being done by businesses to help their communities during the pandemic.

Punchline's Business and Community Champion Awards are sponsored by:

GFirstLEP

https://www.gfirstlep.com 

info@gfirstlep.com 

The Growth Hub Gloucestershire

https://www.thegrowthhub.biz 

talktous@thegrowthhub.biz 

Send us your inspiring stories - you don't have to write them, just tell us about them - and we will do the rest. Email: andy@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk  or mark@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk