Lancaster-based German Doner Kebab to help serve 30,000 free meals to NHS workers and vulnerable people

Popular gourmet kebab restaurant chain German Doner Kebab has today announced its commitment to contribute 30,000 free meals to frontline NHS workers and vulnerable people who are unable to leave their homes through food-delivery service, Deliveroo.

German Doner Kebab has 41 outlets throughout the country, including one in Penny Street, and is backing the campaign as part of its ongoing commitment to support communities and frontline staff during the coronavirus response.

The growing brand’s signature dish ‘The Original German Doner Kebab’ has become one of the country’s most ordered dishes in the past month, according to Deliveroo.

The fast-casual restaurant chain’s 30,000 free meal contribution will be made available where both German Doner Kebab and Deliveroo provide coverage, and where there is demand from NHS hospitals.

German Doner Kebab is now working closely with Deliveroo to decide which freshly prepared options from its delicious menu will be suitable for NHS workers and vulnerable people who are unable to leave their homes.

Deliveroo and German Doner Kebab stands ready and hopes to deliver to NHS sites where there is a need for food, whether hospitals, primary care sites or field hospitals. Meals will be available over time as Deliveroo works with individual hospitals to identify where need is greatest.

Deliveroo will also be fundraising to support this campaign, raising funds from corporate and individual donations. Deliveroo will be enabling customers to contribute through the app, so they can send hard-working doctors, nurses and volunteers a meal.

Imran Sayed, GDK CEO, said: “We have been completely overwhelmed and inspired by the incredible dedication and courage shown by NHS staff during the Covid-19 crisis.

“Our commitment to provide 30,000 free meals to NHS workers is a big gesture of support from the GDK family and recognises their super-human efforts in an already overwhelmed NHS service.

“We stand beside them during these unprecedented times and will continue to do our best to provide valuable help to the selfless heroes that are saving lives and helping vulnerable people in communities throughout the country."

Will Shu, CEO and founder of Deliveroo, said: “German Doner Kebab were the first to contribute to this important initiative and we are incredibly grateful for their generosity.

"Those in the NHS working night and day to save lives are the real heroes of this crisis, and we want to do our small part to support them and the vulnerable who aren’t able to leave their homes. Deliveroo is a British business and, as the founder, nothing would make me more proud than to use the network we have built to support the NHS, and I know the restaurant sector wants to play its part too.”

Meals will be made available where Deliveroo currently provides coverage. Deliveroo and the groups will initially focus on making deliveries in London and Manchester before seeking to do this in other parts of the country.

All the money Deliveroo raises will be committed to covering the cost of delivery or food. Neither Deliveroo nor any of the restaurant partners it works with will make profit from this. Any excess funding raised by Deliveroo will go to the NHS.

Other meal donations include Pizza Hut, Itsu, Lewis Hamilton’s plant-based Neat Burger restaurant and others. Pizza Hut has also donated funding to help cover the cost of deliveries.