A WORKINGTON gym owner is donating meals to NHS staff and emergency services staff to thank them for the work they are doing.

Lee Butterworth, from Xtreme Fitness at Dobies Business Park, Lillyhall, and gym member Steve Palmer both felt that the hard work of NHS staff should be rewarded and gave out £1,000 worth of balanced meals, such as rice and chicken to NHS staff and emergency services workers, who called to collect them from their gym's car park. All of the meals have now gone, but more meals will be available again next Thursday, from 12pm to 2pm.

Lee and Steve were initially going to spend a further £1,250 each on meals, but have decided to increase this amount to £3,500 each, giving £7,000 more to buy meals with. They are hoping to spend £500 on pizzas for the nightshift workers.

The money will come from a walk that was done just before the gym closed and from the Palmer Sustainable fund that Steve Palmer set up for community causes.

Lee is also running virtual classes via his gym's Xtreme Fitness Facebook page and wanted to thank customers for their continued support. He said: "I just want to say a massive thanks for standing by us. 670 members have continued their subscriptions, which is quite phenomenal."