Coronavirus: Florist donates 50,000 flowers to NHS hospital staff

'We just wanted to lift their spirits and let the NHS staff know that we appreciate them'

NHS staff smile with their floral bouquets (Wildabout Flowers / SWNS)

A florist has donated 50,000 flowers to NHS staff at hospitals across London.

Luxury florist Wildabout Flowers saw that suppliers in the Netherlands were burning millions of surplus flowers which were no longer needed due to coronavirus.

In response, owners Leanne Roberts-Hewitt and Andy Devonport contacted their Dutch suppliers and arranged for them to send over thousands of flowers to gift to NHS staff.

Over 50,000 flowers were delivered and made into 1,500 colourful bouquets which were taken to six different London hospitals in an effort to show their gratitude and raise staff morale.

Staff at St George's Hospital, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, St Thomas' Hospital, King's College Hospital, Royal Brompton Hospital and Lambeth Hospital were delighted with the surprise delivery.

Roberts-Hewitt said: “We just wanted to lift their spirits and let the NHS staff know that we appreciate them.

"I absolutely love flowers and I know how they can improve well-being.

“We thought if anyone needs a pick me up right now, it's the NHS front line workers,” she said.

Roberts-Hewitt described her shock at seeing the surplus flowers being destroyed in the Netherlands.

“It was heart-breaking, so we wanted to do good with them before we closed the studio,” she said.

"I have friends that work in the NHS and I know from them how hard work is for them right now – it’s not easy.”

Roberts-Hewitt and Devonport delivered the bouquets to the six hospitals personally and shared them with all staff, including porters and cleaners.

“The feedback has been overwhelming,” she admitted.

“It's amazing how something as simple as flowers can lift people's spirits.

"At some of the hospitals, especially St George, the poor staff look so tired and it's been lovely hearing back how our flowers have helped brighten their days,” she said.

Although their business has now come to a standstill, Roberts-Hewitt said that donating the flowers before closing had been “so rewarding”.