MORE than 360 people have volunteered to help set up furniture and equipment at Carmarthenshire’s four field hospitals.
The council is converting Carmarthen and Llanelli Leisure Centres, the Selwyn Samuel Centre and the Parc y Scarlets barn in Llanelli, into temporary hospitals to provide additional bed space for the NHS.
In just 24 hours after the appeal for volunteers went live, more than 360 people come forward to offer their help – which was absolutely amazing.
The volunteers have been split between the four sites and will help to unload deliveries, and unpack and assemble furniture and equipment.
Once complete, the facilities will be managed by Hywel Dda University Health Board.
The council is also looking for volunteers to support other critical service areas too, so if you are an individual, business or organisation that can lend a hand please join our network of volunteers on our new online platform Connect2Carmarthenshire.
It aims to connect people offering help to those who need it, as part of our SirGâredig – Sharing Carmarthenshire’s Kindness campaign.
Council Leader Cllr Emlyn Dole said: “It is wonderful to see so many people volunteering to help during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are very grateful to each and every person that has offered to help us set up these vital field hospitals for the NHS; I really am moved by the community sprit being shown by residents.
“This is what SirGâredig is all about, helping each other and being kind, particularly in times of trouble.
“So, if you would like to volunteer please register with us; and if you need help or support in any way please let us know.
“By working together, we will get through this.”
Chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board Maria Battle said: “We are so grateful to all the volunteers and businesses coming forward to help the NHS and local authorities. Without this support it would not be possible for us to achieve so much in so little time. Thank you for supporting your NHS. Together we will succeed.”
To register to become a volunteer, you must be aged 18 or over. Visit newsroom.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/SirGaredig
SirGâredig is a play on words – Sir Gâr being the colloquial term for Sir Gaerfyrddin (Carmarthenshire) and Caredig, the Welsh word for ‘kind’.
Volunteers at the Selwyn Samuel Centre field hospital.
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