Coronavirus update – the latest news from Yorkshire businesses

Shipley-based Consult Red has come forward to answer an appeal for webcams from Mastercall, a social enterprise organisation and ‘out-of-hospital’ NHS healthcare service provider.

As a connected devices and systems consultancy with expertise in telemedicine, Consult Red had a stock of webcams, IT equipment and other hardware used for trialling health technology projects.

It donated all of this to Mastercall, which means more nurses and retired consultants can remotely support patients and help in the fight against Covid-19.

Rachael Ingram, clinical quality assurance manager, of Stockport-based Mastercall, said: “We’re very grateful to Consult Red for this kind donation. The benefits of telemedicine cannot be overstated at a time like this.”

Andrew Stewart, managing director at Consult Red, said: “As big believers in the benefits of telemedicine we couldn’t be happier that this equipment is being put to great use and we will continue to offer support where we can to make a difference.”

Consult Red was founded by five former Pace engineers in 2003, initially working on video telephony products for the likes of BT.

As well as having expertise in healthcare, it also works across the industrial and manufacturing, energy and utilities, consumer electronics and media technology and telecommunications industries.

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North Yorkshire-based Drax Group is delivering hundreds of laptops with internet access to schools and colleges to ensure students can continue with their studies during the COVID-19 crisis.

The energy company, which owns the UK’s largest power station, has been working with headteachers at its partner schools to source and provide families with laptops and prepaid internet access.

Will Gardiner, Drax Group CEO, said: “At Drax we’ve been working with headteachers during the Easter break to make sure students have access to laptops as they start the summer term.

“This is crucial, as highlighted by the Government this weekend.

“We’re delivering nearly 700 laptops with internet access to the students who need them most.

“The pandemic continues to have a major impact on families, businesses and communities across the UK – our support for students means we’re helping to get them connected so they can keep learning during the lockdown.”

As part of its initiative to inspire more children to study STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) subjects, Drax has been working with partner schools local to its operations for some time, delivering a range of projects and careers events.

This latest project has seen the energy company invest £200,000 in the laptops with prepaid internet access, delivered for the summer term to partner schools in its local communities across England and Scotland.

The schools will distribute the technology to families to help ensure no child is left behind during lockdown.

Ian Clennan, head teacher of Selby Community Primary School, which will be receiving some of the equipment, said: “This donation of laptops from Drax is going to make a huge difference to the lives of pupils currently without access to online educational resources – as well as our whole school community after the Coronavirus lockdown is over.

“Ensuring no-one gets left behind in their studies during the lockdown is a priority for us, but schools don’t just provide education – they’re a whole support system.

“Having computers and internet access means pupils can keep in touch with their teachers and classmates more easily too – which is also incredibly important at the moment.”

Russell Hobby, CEO of Teach First, a charity which aims to address disadvantages in education, added: “Home schooling is difficult for any family, but for children with limited access to a laptop or the internet – the barriers to studying are even greater.

“This generous donation by Drax will help hundreds of children to continue to learn during the crisis and have a positive impact on their life chances, as well as the communities in which they live.”

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Yorkshire’s Sukothai and Zaap Thai have set out to raise £5,000 to cook and deliver 2,500 meals for NHS workers, carers, key workers and vulnerable people

They have launched an online fundraising appeal to generate the cash, stressing that every £2 donated will be enough to provide a meal.

A spokesman for the appeal explained: “We have come together to raise money, cook and deliver food to those who need it in these uncertain and worrying times.

“The restaurants’ founders, and owners, have generously donated £1,000 for the first 500 meals, which production has started on, and they will be delivered to a number of hospitals in the coming days.

“Our chefs have kindly agreed to donate 100% of their time.”

People prepared to support the restaurants can click here for more information and to make a donation.