An offer that’s not too shabby, from your local cabby
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic we have been overwhelmed by the offers of support from individuals and businesses, big and small. However, one such person has been making a huge difference by offering up his services as a taxi driver to help members of NHS staff get home from their shifts on the frontline.
We speak to Michael Hayes, a taxi driver from Newham in east London to find out more about the work he’s been doing.
Why did you decide to give free cab rides to healthcare staff?
I’ve been a cab driver for 14 years. However when the true extent of the coronavirus pandemic hit I really wanted to show my appreciation for NHS staff by offering a little bit of comfort at the end of a long and arduous shift. I care not if you’re a consultant surgeon or a cleaner. All are welcome in my taxi at shift changes in the morning and in the evening. I will continue to offer my services to you all for as long as I can.
I believe everyone can safely do something to help, whether it’s what I do, supporting your local hospital, checking in on the elderly and vulnerable or becoming a @goodsamApp volunteer (my wife and myself have signed up for that too).
How are you keeping yourself safe?
Good news travels fast and I’ve had plenty of exhausted staff very grateful for a lift home, especially now that public transport is on a reduced service.
To keep myself and others safe I’ve taped all air gaps in my partition and blocked the hatch. I keep a mask for when I’m out of the cab speaking to passengers at a safe distance and plenty of disinfectant. I give the inside of the cab a wipe over with antibacterial spray between every job and wash my hands frequently.
Do you have any fond memories of the NHS you’d like to share?
My best memories of the NHS have to be the births of all three of my children at Newham Hospital. I can still remember their tiny smiling faces and open mouths!
Here's what our staff had to say:
Michael has given lifts to dozens of our members of staff, we spoke to just a few of them to find out how they felt about Michael’s kind gestures:
Tolesa Buli, senior radiographer at Newham Hospital has worked at Barts Health for almost three years. He has received two free cab rides from Michael:
"Covid 19 is affecting me emotionally and psychologically, like anyone else in the world right now. However, hearing Michael’s offer of a lift home after my shift made me realise that good people are all around us and we see them in times like this. He called me a hero and after a busy night shift, I honestly felt a few tears in my eyes.
"It made me feel proud and happy that I work for the NHS even during these difficult times."
Julie Ballesteros, Senior Critical Care Nurse at Newham Hospital, who also received a free lift from Michael, said:
“This pandemic is an ongoing marathon. It starts as soon as I step outside my front door. Getting to work is increasingly difficult with the depleted public transport services. And when I get to work, I try not to panic and rely on the training I’ve received over the years to help us get through this pandemic. It’s hard. But then there are the faces of strangers that help us despite tough times. Getting a free lift home from Michael was very uplifting. His kindness and generosity does not go under appreciated by us. They are as needed as we are and equal heroes against the COVID-19 villain.”
Micaela Giner Simon, Accident and Emergency nurse at Newham Hospital, was also grateful for Michael’s kind offer. She said:
“I would like to say that this gentleman is absolutely amazing and kind, he was waiting for staff to finish at 7.30pm and when I finished at 7.30am he was there again! I couldn't believe it.
"He doesn't charge you, instead of that he gives you a nice conversation which cheers us up after a long shift.”