St George’s Hospital has launched a major new fundraising appeal to help support its staff on the frontline in responding to coronavirus.

The Tooting hospital’s appeal, led by St George’s Hospital Charity, has already raised more than £20,000 but is looking to raise tens of thousands more to meet the unprecedented demand it is facing.

The charity said the appeal was “our time to support all the amazing NHS staff providing outstanding care during this time of crisis, and to say thank you”, and it urged members of the public to donate.

Wandsworth Times:
Jacqueline Totterdell, Chief Executive at St George’s, said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to the public for the amazing support they have shown our staff by donating food or sending messages of gratitude. 

“The coming weeks will be incredibly challenging for our frontline staff as they care for an increasing number of patients with coronavirus. The money raised by donating to this ‘thank you’ appeal will provide support to our staff at a difficult time, in an organised way.”

With its 9,000 staff, St George’s Hospital is the largest healthcare provider, major teaching hospital and tertiary centre for south west London, Surrey and beyond – and one of the largest healthcare providers in the UK.

Wandsworth Times:
The St George’s charity aims to help support the hospital to provide accommodation for key staff, buy equipment and supplies, and fund mental health support and welfare initiatives over the coming weeks and months. 

Amerjit Chohan, Chief Executive at St George’s Hospital Charity, said: “Thank you to everyone who has already donated to our appeal and reached out with incredible offers of support for our staff.

“We have been completely overwhelmed by the generosity of our local community and beyond. St George’s Hospital Charity is committed to supporting staff through this challenging time and all money raised will go directly towards funding and supporting NHS staff in their roles.” 

Wandsworth Times:
‎Already, the charity has been able to fund additional Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), as well as the distribution of “welfare packs” containing food, toiletries and household products, and taken delivery of 50 blood pressure machines for the hospital’s high-risk pregnancy team. 

Specialist midwife Trudy Williams said: “This will make a significant difference to keeping our patients safe and optimise their ability to assess their wellbeing from home, particularly for those who require ‘shielding’, such as those with kidney transplants and those with immunosuppression.”

The charity said that many people were already asking how they could help.

Amerjit Chohan added: “Right now, the best way is through donations to St George’s Coronavirus Appeal. This means that we can continue to work closely with the hospital and meet their needs as the situation changes.”

Visit the appeal webpage to make a donation here: www.justgiving.com/campaign/thankyouappeal