A PICKERING pub is giving something back amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

The White Swan, owned by Victor and Marion Buchanan, is preparing more than 100 homemade meals per week for York and Scarborough hospitals, alongside offering free bedrooms to NHS staff during lockdown.

After social distancing measures are lifted, the couple are offering 200 overnight stays for NHS staff - called Holiday for Heroes.

“The hospitality industry is based on social interactions, rather than distancing,” said Victor.

“Not to be completely defeated by Covid-19, we want to use our resources to help others.

“Initially, our furloughed team volunteered to provide traditional lockdown Sunday lunches, but things changed when we received an appeal by a customer whose sister is an ICU doctor at York Hospital.

“We decided to replace their vending machine sandwiches with homemade food during their 12-hour shifts.”

The White Swan has also baked different cakes for Saint Catherine’s in Scarborough and a birthday cake for an NHS worker at Malton Hospital.

Victor and Marion are asking for donations towards Holiday for Heroes, alongside nominating an NHS worker who deserves a holiday.

The couple want to raise £6,000 in total - £30 for each night.

“The more we raise, the more we can give - much more,” added Victor.

“Once lockdown is lifted, we want to offer overnight stays to the ones who deserve it the most, our frontline NHS workers, so they have a chance to put their feet up and be properly cared for by others.

“We would like to ask you to nominate the selfless members of the NHS, who have made a difference to your life and all our lives.

“The overnight stay will be entirely on us and will include breakfast, dinner and a bottle of house wine.

“We salute all the NHS bravery; this is the least we can do.”

To nominate or donate, visit white-swan.co.uk/about-us/holidays-for-heroes