University Hospital Monklands staff made a bumper donation to Airdrie Foodbank.

Consultant anaesthetist Dr Claire McIntyre said: “Staff from many departments in the hospital managed to collect three car-loads of food, toiletries, treats and toys.

“There were donations from across the site. This was an amazing collection, which matched – or perhaps even exceeded – the donations made last year.

“Special thanks to the laboratories, dieticians, domestic staff and the anaesthetics department for their generosity.”

Claire paid tribute to Linda Cameron, secretary to the anaesthetics department, who once again organised the donation after she successfully spearheaded the collection last year.

“The pandemic has highlighted the growing needs of those in the community and Linda wanted to make a special effort last year to help those in need locally,” said Claire.

“The success of this led to a desire to repeat it this year – with fantastic results.

“Linda is well known and popular in the hospital. She is a kind and compassionate person, who is very active in her local community. The foodbank collection is just one example of how caring she is.”

Consultant anaesthetist Dr Gordon Cowan, clinical lead in anaesthesia, added: “We first had a collection last year. The community had supported the hospital so visibly in wave one of the pandemic and, with the festive time being so difficult for many, we were inspired by Linda to return the good turn. So, in year two, this is now a tradition.”