ST JAMES' Hospital in Dublin have today received 10,000 medical face masks in an act of solidarity by the Association of Chinese Professionals in Ireland.

The hospital, which is one of the largest in the country with over 1,000 beds, has been facing immense strain as the coronavirus spreads across Ireland, with over half of the confirmed 1,329 cases concentrated in Dublin.

Today, the Association of Chinese Professionals in Ireland donated 10,000 face masks to help protect nurses, doctors and other health care workers battling the virus on the frontlines.

The not-for-profit organisation posted the moment the masks were delivered to the hospital in a poignant Twitter post, where they said "We'll all sleep better knowing that these supplies will protect our 'frontlineheroes to fight #Covid19".

The Association of Chinese Professionals in Ireland’s 1st #unitetofight donation of 10,000 surgical masks has been received by Mr. Lorcan Birthistle, CEO of @stjamesdublin. We'll all sleep better knowing that these supplies will protect our #frontlineheroes to fight #Covid19. pic.twitter.com/ph9I1bYwDw — Association of Chinese Professionals in Ireland (@acpigroup) March 24, 2020


Another post which showed Mr Nicolas Reuland of St James' Hospital picking up the masks from the home of ACPI Chairperson Cindy Liu stated that there was "no handshake... but hearts were touched".

A donation of 10,000 surgical masks was picked up by Mr. Nicolas Reuland @stjamesdublin from ACPI Chairperson Ms. Cindy Liu’s home(@CindyLi40567798) with Ms. Crystal Li, @translationie and Ms Qian Zhang, ACPI. No handshake #SocialDistancing but hearts were touched. pic.twitter.com/fiOpIWd9w0 — Association of Chinese Professionals in Ireland (@acpigroup) March 24, 2020

The Dublin-based ACPI have been working to support both Ireland and China as the Covid-19 virus took hold, and have, through donations, donated masks and googles to areas of Wuhan, donated masks to high-risk children in Ireland, and donated hand sanitzer to schools and churches across Ireland.

Faces of Our Heroes: Leonie, Tissue Viability CNS; Kelly, Staff Nurse and Joseph, Hospital Attendant A&E @stjamesdublin fighting against #covid19ireland. Hope our donation of 10,000 surgical masks keep you safer. #unitetofight More donations welcome here https://t.co/mfYxBPvlRJ pic.twitter.com/AWg7gbHdy6 — Association of Chinese Professionals in Ireland (@acpigroup) March 24, 2020


The charity are now focusing on purchasing emergency equipment including PPE, hand sanitizers and other supplies for frontline medical teams as well as Gardaí, volunteers and others who cannot find supplies.

Anyone who would like to assist the ACPI in their work can visit the charity's GoFUndMe page here.