The leader of Greenwich Council has shared photos of the "wonderful" community response to a desperate appeal for personal protective equipment for the borough's healthcare workers after supplies promised by the Government have failed to arrive.

Danny Thorpe expressed a "massive massive thanks" to everyone who had donated including schools, dentists, housing associations and residents, adding that the community response to the Covid-19 outbreak in Greenwich has been "truly overwhelming."

He said that thanks to the response, no more gloves were needed for now but eye protection remains "critical", plus FFP3 masks and aprons are welcome at the Woolwich Centre which is open for drop-offs.

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The safety equipment is desperately needed by social care workers across Greenwich, and those on the frontline at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The PPE equipment will allow more patients to be released from hospital into social care settings, and currently eight "crucial" hospital beds have been freed up for use in the fight against coronavirus.

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Greenwich Council, and others across London, have been waiting for the Army to drop off supplies promised by the Government but the council was last night forced to take the matter into their own hands.

The supplies still have not arrived for many councils, including Greenwich, and Mr Thorpe said the situation "needs sorting NOW as the pressure is only going to build in the coming days and weeks."

In a post on Twitter, he said: "PPE update from Royal Greenwich Council - you are all brilliant!

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"The efforts from schools, businesses residents & partners means that our teams are currently working with Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust to get the PPE equipment needed.

"So a huge, huge heartfelt thank you to all of you have helped so far. A truly amazing #Greenwich community effort as we all play a part in rising to this challenge."

"You know when we put our minds to it, people can truly be amazing," he added.