A host of Stockport firms have been praised for the crucial role they have played in supporting the borough as it has responded to the coronavirus outbreak.
One firm that has played been a major player is Dodd Group, from its base in Heaton Mersey, which has provided Stockport council with key assistance over the past three months.
The company has provided a van, a driver and fuel free of charge, so the council could deliver more than 500,000 items of personal protective equipment (PPE) to those in the community.
Kevin Johnson, and his partner Stacey, (pictured with Mark Fitton, director of adult social care) have made the work of the council’s PPR Hub possible by carrying our all of the delivers of PPE, whilst also picking up collections of PPE from other areas of Greater Manchester.
Bredbury-based Allied Bakeries is another firm which has helped the cause. It has provided 10,000 loaves of bread for vulnerable residents from their production facility, in addition to donating loaves to the NHS.
The company also agreed to take part in a BBC programme that focused on how major retailers and their supplies managed to keep the shelves stocked during the panic buying as lockdown was introduced.
The show, ‘Keeping Britain Fed’ aired on BBC2 on Wednesday, June 17 and can be watched again on the BBC iPlayer.
Cllr Jude Wells, council cabinet Member for adult care and health, said: “These are truly unprecedented times, and without the determination and commitment from the employees at Dodd Group, Allied Bakeries and others, our collective response to the coronavirus pandemic would not have helped as many people as we have done.
“I would like to thank Kevin, Stacey and Dodd Group, as well as those at Allied, for all they have done to help us keep Stockport residents safe during this time.
“We will forever be grateful for the support that has been provided to our communities.”
The latest collaboration project with Stockport’s businesses has seen the launch of ‘One Stockport’ – a campaign that aims to help to rebuild the local economy so the whole borough can build back better and stronger.