BIG-HEARTED people in Worcester have rallied behind our city’s hospital heroes as fundraisers near the next major milestone in the Covid-19 fight.

An appeal on behalf of Worcester hospital staff and patients during the coronavirus crisis has now raised more than £170,000.

So far the funds have already made a huge difference, paying for the latest technology to allow virtual visiting and helping provide vital PPE on the frontline.

The appeal by the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust charity raised £100,000 in its first four weeks but they are now only £30,000 off doubling this first major milestone and there's no sign of anyone slowing down.

Among those to help was Welfare for Healthcare - Worcester Acute Hospitals which has raised more than £10,000 already.

Having smashed this target, the bar has now been raised to £15,000.

Philanthropist and wife of the Bishop of Worcester, H-J Colston-Inge, speaking on behalf of the initiative, said: “As the Covid pandemic started to head here, I just felt compelled to do my bit to help those who were going to be working on the frontline in our hospitals.

“Half of the funds were raised through the generous donation of the CT Trust. The rest mostly through individual donations. The £250 donation from the Rotary Worcester Severn pushed us over the target and that was so encouraging.

“I had originally set a target of £1,000 and then decided to aim high. Reaching the target just inside one month is incredible but the work does not stop here.

“I realise that there is much to be done to support others caring in the community, too, such as in care homes, district nurses and GP surgeries so we are working out ways in which we can support them, too.”

In her original appeal (www.justgiving.com/fundraising/welfareforhealthcare), Mrs Colston-Inge said: “Our NHS frontline staff, however, are separated from their own families whilst they carry out vital work to support the seriously ill under very challenging conditions.

“Funds will purchase non-perishable food and drinks and toiletries. This will help the NHS staff to stay awake when they are exhausted, be encouraged when morale is low, know that others are thinking of and loving them when they are separated from their own families and facing tough situations.

“Please give what you can to keep the staff protected and encouraged. £30 would buy a care package containing tea, coffee, biscuits, milk, baked beans, pot noodles, biscuits, chocolate and microwaveable meals for one team of staff on a ward for about five days.”

The Covid-19 Appeal was launched by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity in March to support staff and patients. The fundraising page is full of the individual stories of those who have helped during the campaign so far.

Lyla Marshall raised £465 for the cause, making a ‘Pom Pom caterpillar’ ‘for all the brave people working so hard at the Worcestershire Acute NHS Hospitals’.

She said: “He needs a name and I would love for all children and grown ups to pick a good name for him.

“If anyone could spare a donation, no matter how big or small, to help those brave people working on the frontline putting themselves and their families at risk for others.

“This money would help to keep them safe when trying to make our loved ones better. It’s amazing what we can accomplish when we all chip in together.”

Other people donated in memory of loved ones who had recently died while others left messages of support for frontline workers.

Some of the donations have been put towards funding hardware and equipment to provide ‘virtual visiting’ for the relatives of families who have a loved one in hospital with Covid-19.

In addition to the funds donated to the charity, a huge amount of non-perishable food and drinks have been donated to allow the opening of two Staff Wellbeing Shops, giving hardworking staff the opportunity to get hold of snacks and other essentials to support them before, during or after their shift. Local seamstresses have also been volunteering to resize hospital scrubs and other protective equipment for staff.

Jason Levy from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity said: “The charity has been overwhelmed by the incredible support from the Worcestershire community.

“We are working really hard to ensure those offers are acknowledged, appreciated and redirected to where the need is greatest for patients and staff. The impact of donations allows us to fund those simple things that are making a huge difference to staff morale and wellbeing, as well as funding substantive items such as iPads that are helping keep families together.”

The charity is still welcoming community volunteers to support in Worcestershire’s hospitals if you are not in a high-risk category.

If you would like support with volunteering please go to: www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/ and click ‘Help Our Hospitals’.

If the public or local businesses would like support with donations, please email: wah-tr.helpworcsacute@nhs.net or call 01562 888669.

If you would like to donate to the emergency appeal please go to:www.justgiving.com/campaign/helpworcsacute