Mater Foundation is driving a call to arms for the community to show their support for frontline health workers who are working tirelessly during the nation’s Omicron surge.

Back up the Frontline, a campaign aimed at easing the load for healthcare heroes, has been launched to provide them with ready-made, healthy meals in partnership with Youfoodz.

Mater Foundation Executive Director Andrew Thomas said every $50 donation to the campaign would be matched to provide a $100 Youfoodz voucher to over 6000 hard-working staff across Queensland.

“Right now, frontline health workers are physically and emotionally exhausted; they need all the love, energy and support we can muster,” he said.

“The current Omicron surge is seeing a significant increase in hospitalisations and frontline health workers are caring for the community in difficult and demanding conditions.

“Providing a healthy, cooked meal at the end of a gruelling, extended shift in full PPE may not make their work any easier at the moment, but it will lighten the load for them when they finally make it home.

Youfoodz Chief Executive Officer Lance Giles said frontline staff deserved to have one less thing to worry about.

“We're immensely proud to partner with Mater to support frontline workers throughout this unprecedented time with fresh, healthy meals,” Mr Giles said.

“We sincerely appreciate everything the workers across Mater hospitals are doing to keep Australians safe and for that, we wanted to be able to take the stress of cooking off their shoulders.”

Mater Public Hospital Brisbane Emergency Department nurse Lisa Lawrence said it’s a daunting time to be a frontline health worker.

“Emotionally and physically its hard. It’s not an easy situation. It’s hard enough as it is, then you put a pandemic on top of that. It’s a rollercoaster,” she said.

“They’re long days and very busy. We’re on our feet going and going and going. You get very run down. You see a lot of things. It’s not an easy job.

“The big thing with nurses is we help other people, but we forget to help ourselves. We get burnt out – and that’s even without a pandemic.

“These Youfoodz vouchers will make life just that little bit easier for frontline workers, for me and those with families at home – little kids, teenagers and husbands – it’s a little peace of mind after a long day. It takes a little bit of the home pressure off.”

Donate to Back up the Frontline at www.backupthefrontline.com.au.