Gosport restaurant launches campaign to feed NHS workers through generous community donations

Pizza, pasta and more will be served up by Arty’s at Clarence Marina for front-line workers of all kinds who might be in need of a hearty meal during long shifts.

Owner Julie Malec has set up a Go Fund Me campaign to raise money for raw materials to cook up this heartwarming idea, with more than £300 donated already to kick-start the deliveries next Tuesday and Wednesday.

Julie said: ‘We want to try and get to as many people as we can and give them a little treat.

‘You see so much on social media of the gruelling shifts they’re doing. Imagine doing an 18-hour shift and then having to cook something at home or queue up at the supermarket.

‘I can’t even imagine what they’re having to deal with on a daily basis, it must be heartbreaking.’

The team at the eatery have been working hard while the sit-in restaurant area is closed, fulfilling collection orders and deliveries for residents from midday to 8pm Tuesday through Saturday.

Alongside their main courses which are advertised on Facebook each day, they also have a small dessert selection and can provide beer, wine, cider and soft drinks as well as helium celebration balloons.

Police officers and NHS staff can get a discount of 50 per cent when they collect meals from the restaurant, but the team wanted to go further with their charitable efforts.

‘We’ll just see how far we can go with what we have raised so far,’ said Julie, who hopes to be able to help all kinds of workers including porters and cleaners.

‘The more we raise, the more we can do. We’re doing it to give something back to all those hard working people risking their lives.

‘We’re on a really small team but we do still have a kitchen so we might as well put it to use.’

To donate to the campaign and help get more hot meals to NHS workers across Portsmouth and Gosport, visit gofundme.com/f/help-us-feed-our-nhs-workers.

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