A Harrogate-based homeworker has stepped up to support the NHS during the coronavirus crisis because he “simply couldn’t sit back and watch it unfold”.

Ben Poole, owner of The Travel Journal, has taken a role as a delivery driver for Boots on Monday this week – delivering NHS prescriptions to those self-isolating or deemed as vulnerable in North Yorkshire. Poole said he’d continue servicing his travel clients but he felt it was important for those who are fit and able to support their local community, adding that his new role was already proving “incredibly rewarding”. 

“I simply couldn’t sit back and watch it unfold without helping the community,” he said. “I thought it was important to give something back to the local community. I’ve got all my bookings amended to dates in the future for my clients and I’m on top of all that – so I wanted to help others in this awful time. 

“I didn’t want to sit their clock watching while travel is effectively on stop sale for the time being. 

“I’m delivering prescriptions to anyone in a 40-mile radius – and that could be residential addresses or care homes. 

“I’m only a couple of days in, but it is already proving incredibly rewarding. People are very appreciative. There is a lot of elderly people in the community and some of them don’t have anyone else to help them. We have to help who we can in these situations.”

Poole, who has worked as an agent for 21 years, said he expected he might deliver to some of his clients. 

“it’s nice being out there in the community, and I’m sure eventually I’ll end up seeing clients as I deliver – so it’s nice to keep my face out there for once coronavirus is resolved and the world begins travelling again.”