MYSTERY surrounds the identity of a big-hearted member of the public who dropped off presents for staff at Letterkenny hospital.
The presents – gift boxes containing beauty products – were left on the cars of some nurses this week. They were accompanied by a note signed by ‘Lisa’ who said she wanted to thank healthcare workers for their efforts in tackling the coronavirus.
“Dear healthcare worker,” the cards read.
“We deeply appreciate your selfless work and courage to leave your family and come to work to help save lives. Thank you for your care and compassion, even when you are in no doubt anxious and tired as well.
“Because of you people will get a second chance at life so thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
One of those to receive a present was staff nurse Veena Syam.
“I got a surprise call from Euro Car Park telling me there was a package left on my car and asking me if I had forgotten anything,” said Veena.
“I knew I hadn’t left anything behind me and I told them to take it because it wasn’t mine. They didn’t take it, maybe they realised it was a surprise gift. But my husband, he finished night shift and came down and he saw it. He asked me as well if I had left it behind but then I heard a co-worker mention that someone had left gifts for some of the healthcare workers.”
Who ‘Lisa’ is remains an unknown. But with doctors, nurses and everyone associated with Letterkenny University Hospital under severe pressure, the charitable gesture has been warmly embraced.
“It is a really tough time for us all – the nurses, doctors, porters, everyone – and we are all trying our best. And that is why things like this mean so much. For example the Clanree Hotel has brought us shower caps, Domino’s has provided pizzas and it says to us that people are grateful for what we are doing.
“We are in a crisis situation and to think that someone out there went to the bother of buying these items and writing such a lovely message, it means so much,” Veena added.
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