Meals for NHS heroes
1512. Richard Henderson
Richard Henderson, from Plymouth, is a young chef who has used his professional skills to cook over 2,000 restaurant quality meals for ambulance workers and care workers in his native Devon.
Richard has run the initiative through the charity ‘Food4Heroes’, established by fellow Points of Light Amanda Guest and John Brownhill, supporting NHS workers and paramedics in Devon throughout lockdown whilst the London restaurant he works for was closed. Commandeering a kitchen at City College Plymouth, where he himself trained, Richard inspired a team of chefs and volunteers to join him, including delivering each meal with a handwritten message of support from the person who cooked it.
In a personal letter to Richard, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“Thank you for bringing your culinary skills to our fantastic frontline workers in your native Devon.
“From training with Michelin starred chefs in London, you have brought a flavour of delicious, restaurant quality meals to thousands of ambulance and care workers during their shifts.
“I know the extraordinary lengths our frontline workers go to on our behalf. As they care so wonderfully for us, you are caring for them.”
Richard said:
“It brings me great pride to receive the Prime Minister’s Point of Light Award. I had an incredible time cooking for NHS staff back in the first Lockdown, turning up at the Ambulance Station everyday and getting to meet and talk to some of the front line workers from my home area was brilliant and it will surely be something that I will never forget. I’d also like to thank my Mum, who helped me massively with organising the running of the Plymouth Hub for the charity Food 4 Heroes.”