The chief executive of BP has announced their chain of petrol stations will be offering free fuel for emergency services.

Bernard Looey, the chief executive officer of the company, took to Linkedin last night to announce the generous offer.  In a post, he wrote: "As the spread of COVID-19 continues, our natural instincts are to protect our families, our colleagues and our company.

“But in line with our purpose – we want to do more.

“I have been engaging with our business leaders across BP to see what more we can do to assist the communities where we live and work.

“Whether that be supporting governmental efforts – helping local charities – or reaching out to the people in our supply chains. We are extending a helping hand where we can.

“Today, March 19, here in the UK, we announced we will be providing free fuel at our retail sites for the emergency services – the women and men who we are all depending on to protect us during this time.

“We are also looking to protect the elderly – in many ways the most vulnerable – by providing free delivery of food and convenience goods from many of our retail sites. And – of course – we will continue to ensure supplies of fuel and energy are uninterrupted.

Daily Echo:

“We will update you as we do more around the world.

“But rest assured we take our responsibility as a member of society seriously – and know we have a role to play. And we will.”

Mr Looney clarified the offer would apply to NHS emergency ambulance vehicles, NHS-trusted non-emergency vehicles, registered blood bikers as well as local police and fire authorities.

BP will be releasing more information shortly.

His announcement was shared hundreds of times across the networking platofrm and got hundreds of likes and comments. 

Clare Bebbington wrote: "You have no idea how much this means to someone trying to support an elderly patient in the ace of empty shelves and unavailability of online deliveries."

While Al Moore, a paramedic, wrote: "Thank you very much for your kind gesture. I am a volunteer paramedic in rural Norfolk and finance all running costs myself. A truly lovely act." 

While Gill Scott-Moore wrote: "Thank you. As a charity working specifically with the police service in the UK, we know how muhc this will be appreciated.

"Too often they are undermined, undervalued and ridiculed. Outstanding leadership and something I hope others will follow."