A 26-year-old paramedic has been applauded for her efforts to feed other NHS workers whilst working tirelessly during the outbreak.

During the peak of the pandemic, staff across South London noticed an unusual ambulance arrive with treats to their stations and A&E departments.

Jennie Clayton, of Croydon ambulance station, stripped her vehicle of medical equipment and filled it instead, with donated food from her neighbours and Merton Mutual Aid.

The thoughtful paramedic who lives in Morden, saw her neighbours generously contribute to her mobile tuck shop and offer to set up a collection point to gather food.

For several weeks on her days off, she and volunteers including her colleague Amelia Wilkie collected and distributed huge donations from other members of the public – from drinks and snacks to dozens of loaves from the bakery.

Your Local Guardian:

The tuck shop made dozens of visits and brought snacks, comfort and a brief respite for hundreds of staff during an unprecedented and stressful time for the service.

Since her tuck shop success, Jennie has been nominated for the Daily Mail's Health Heroes Awards, by her fellow medic at Croydon ambulance station, Maisie Broszek.

Maisie Broszek said: “Long before this Jennie was known around the station for going above and beyond to look out for people and keep morale up.

Most people on their days off want a much-needed rest – instead Jennie decided to make a difference for her colleagues in a hugely thoughtful and helpful way.

"I’m proud to have nominated her.”

Your Local Guardian:

Jennie Clayton added: “It’s a humbling experience and while I didn’t think I did anything out of the ordinary beyond trying to cheer up all the people I work with, it feels great to have been nominated and to see the work we all do being recognised and supported.”

London Ambulance Service’s Chief Operating Officer, Khadir Meer said: “Jennie is a credit to her colleagues and to the service as a whole and it is great to see her receive recognition for her work through these awards.”

“We’re all rooting for her to win, and we’re also beyond grateful to all those generous members of the public who filled her tuck shop with food and drinks for our staff.”