A VAN hire firm has loaned its vehicles for free to charities who are responding to the coronavirus crisis.

And the good deeds by H&H Van Hire, based in Bartholomew Road, Kentish Town, have included handing the New Journal use of a vehicle to deliver food packages to those most in need.

Hire firms have been exempt from closure rules during lockdown, but managing director Rickie Hicks said he had made the decision to shut temporarily to protect his staff.

He added: “While infection levels were spreading so quickly, we felt it was right to close. Now the government say people should return to work if they cannot do so from home, we have adapted our premises to make it safe for staff and customers.”

But the vans did not sit unused at the H&H depot in NW5.

Mr Hicks said: “In addition to the van we have donated to the New Journal, we’ve also donated several other vans to charities such as Crisis and Corona Care, who are using them to deliver care packages and food supplies to the vulnerable, homeless people and the NHS.”

“We’ve even supplied a refrigerated van to Camden Council to use for foodbanks. “It has given us a really nice feeling to hear that we have made a difference. It was fairly effortless for us but has had an impact on others.”

Mr Hicks said he has since heard first-hand of the difference the New Journal’s food aid has been making, adding: “I was pleased to get a call from one of our neighbours, who used to work with us and remains a good friend, when he received a delivery from the New Journal by a H&H van.”

The company has developed a new contactless system to hire their fleet and say they will continue to help with aid efforts.

Mr Hicks said: “We will be doing our best to support the charities who are relying on us for as long as we possibly can.”