AN NHS hero was able to continue working in Reading on the front line of the pandemic thanks to the generosity of BMW.

The car company were quick to respond to a social media plea that a medic needed help getting to his job at The Royal Berkshire Hospital during the height of the Covid-19 outbreak.

With just one car between two senior medics, a long train commute and 13 hour shifts on the agenda, Dr Andrew Jacques knew he and his wife needed a helping hand if they were to support the NHS during the crisis.

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Andrew, a consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, used to take the train from his Abingdon home to his job at the Royal Berkshire Hospital on London Road.

However, reduced rail services during lockdown meant he faced a lengthy commute involving two trains and a cycle ride at either end.

The only option was taking the couple's car, which meant his wife Katharina Floss would have struggled to get to her job as a Critical Care, Theatres and Anaesthetics pharmacist at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital.

So Andrew took to social media to see if anyone could help.

BMW UK were quick to ensure the couple could both continue to dedicate their time to supporting the NHS through the Covid outbreak by offering Andrew a car.

Mr Jacques said: "I just put out a tweet explaining how we only had one car and that my rail/cycle commute would have been extremely difficult, especially at the end of a 13 hour shift which is often what we were doing at the height of the pandemic.

"BMW UK got in touch and offered me a car which has been absolutely brilliant.

"I’ve been able to do the commute in 45 minutes which has made such a big difference at both ends of the working day.

"It's also meant Katharina can get into work more easily too without worrying about my journey.

"Not only did BMW UK come up trumps, they loaned me a top of the range 220d M Sport Gran Coupé, which sadly I had to return this week and go back to my usual train commute!"

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Steve McManus, chief executive officer for the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We've all been overwhelmed by the generosity shown to us during the pandemic – from small children sending us pictures and poems to big businesses like BMW who have pulled out all the stops to lend their support.

"Gestures like the loan of a car so one of our consultants has an easier journey both before and after his long shifts at hospital have made such a difference as we all worked through the pandemic."

Graeme Grieve, chief executive officer BMW UK said, "Everybody at BMW Group joins the rest of the UK in thanking the NHS and key workers for their tireless work at the front-line of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We are pleased to have been able to support individuals and hospitals across the UK with BMWs and MINIs during this extraordinary time."