The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the Hillingdon Hospital charity have joined forces to appeal to the public to donate health and beauty items that will be included in ‘Bags of Love’ for NHS staff.
The appeal was set up this week in response to calls from the public asking how they could best show their support to the NHS. The Trust responded by publishing an Amazon Wish List on Amazon.co.uk. There is also a dedicated ‘Just Giving’ link Hillingdon & Mount Vernon Hospitals Staff Wellbeing Fund - JustGiving for donations.
The wish list includes items NHS staff have identified that would make a difference to them, such as shower gels, moisturisers, lip balms and energy drinks.
Sue Smith, Chief People Officer, said: “Our staff have been working so hard and with total dedication throughout the last 10 months, as our local community and Britain has faced the effects of Covid-19.
“We are asking the public to help us look after NHS staff; be that a tube of cream to sooth chapped and sore hands or an energy drink to help keep people working in full PPE get through another 12-hour shift. Your kindness will mean so much to every member of our hard working staff.”
Despite only launching the campaign on Wednesday, Hillingdon Hospitals Charity have already started to receive Amazon packages, which will be distributed to Hillingdon nurses, cleaners, porters, therapists, doctors and other staff.
Famous faces from the world of comedy and entertainment including Jo Brand, Harry Hill, Joel Dommett and Tamsin Outhwaite have also joined together to perform a comedy skit on social media.
The video aims to make NHS staff aware about available resources for their health and welfare and how much their work has helped others throughout the pandemic.
Along with other hospitals, the Trust cannot take food donations from the public this time, for health and safety reasons.
If you would like to donate, contact Luke Penwald at the Trust’s charity on luke.penwald@nhs.net or you can donate online here.
Featured image credit: Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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