Shops are closing. Newspaper sales are falling. But we’ve chosen to keep our online journalism free because it’s so important that the people of Glasgow stay informed during this crisis.

To help us get through this, we’re asking readers who can afford it to contribute either £3, £5 or £8 a month to the Glasgow Times.

If you choose to sign up, we’ll also take away all the adverts – and deliver a digital version of the print paper to your device. Click here to help Save Your Times: www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/subscribe

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lidl will be thanking the NHS staff for their "brilliant" work by ensuring they get their five a day. 

Thousands of bags containing fresh fruit and vegetables will be donated to frontline NHS staff across the UK. 

The fresh fruit and vegetables will be delivered directly to hospital sites as part of the retailer’s partnership with Royal Voluntary Service. 

READ MORE: Frontline staff at Glasgow's NHS 'concerned' over lack of personal protective equipment

Christian Härtnagel, CEO at Lidl GB, commented: “We are so grateful to the NHS and all of its staff for their hard work every day to help keep the nation safe. 

"This is our small gesture to say thank you, and help provide NHS staff, who may not be able to get into store regularly for basic groceries, with fresh fruit and vegetables.

"We hope that through working with Royal Voluntary service to donate these bags to hospitals, we can help make a difference to their daily life.”

Lidl's initiative comes after multiple retailers, including Tesco, Sainsbury's and M&S have introduced special shopping hours for NHS staff and the elderly. 

READ MORE: Sainsbury's extends special opening times for elderly, NHS and care staff

The essential staff was struggling to find key stock items as panic-buying left store shelves empty. 

Sam Ward, director of services at Royal Voluntary Service said: “It’s our mission to give support to those who need it in the community and in hospitals and we commend the country’s brilliant NHS staff in all the important work they are doing during this challenging situation.”