CYCLISTS across Mid Devon have geared up their efforts to raise £3,000 to help NHS staff on the front line in a very considerate way.

Mid Devon Cycling Club (MDCC) has upwards of 30 members working in front line roles helping Covid-19 patients. This ranges from the two large area hospitals through to GP practices and care homes.

MDCC has fund raised £3,000 from its members to respond to the fact that the heavy use of PPE, constant hand washing and sanitiser use is significantly degrading people’s skin.

Club committee member Paul Martin said: ‘We have found the national manufacturer of the cream recommended by the dermatology departments and forged a partnership. This has led to the first consignments of Cetraben cream arriving at Torbay General and the RD & E within three days. Thornton & Ross Pharmaceuticals and especially their director of marketing, Janet Maclean, have been utterly brilliant in working with us and also adding £500 of stock as a donation.

‘We now work with their regional sales manager, Dawn Munn, who lives in Tiverton and who has organised the supply chain through existing links, a wholesaler in Paignton and onto a pharmacy in Bampton. Not only that but they have negotiated a £5.75 price per 200ml unit (high street price of £7.99) so they have ensured our efforts go that much further.

‘We cannot thank the company and their staff enough.’

‘Our Crowdfunding started with a modest target of £600 but having reached 40 per cent within a short time we hope to buy many more.’

Club member Sarah Hall is a lead nurse practitioner across Devon and she has highlighting that there are other frontline staff working in the new ‘Hot Sites’ Covid Primary Care Hubs such as the one being established at the Cricketfield Surgery in New Abbot and many GP practices that are also working directly with Covid patients.

Sarah said: ‘These are being set up in the community to see people who are COVID19 positive but still need to see a nurse or doctor but not so ill that they need a hospital.

‘We would not be able to supply all these outlets from within the club which is why we have now just launched a Crowdfunding Appeal under the title “Skin Deep” Cream 4 Carers which is aimed across the whole of Teignbridge and Torbay.

‘We would be delighted if the wider community would join us and donate via our page as below so we can reach as many carers as possible. Every penny will go to frontline staff.’

Roger Scarlett-Smith, Thornton & Ross executive vice-president, said: “We are committed to doing all we can for our incredible frontline NHS staff who are working night and day to provide care around the clock during the Covid-19 crisis – particularly those supporting colleagues by fund raising.

n To help the cause, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/middevon cycling club