We are so proud to support our NHS heroes. The spread of coronavirus is affecting all of us but while we have been in lock down and living at a slower pace, our hospital staff have been facing extreme pressures.

Over the past few months, they have been working under the most challenging times, caring for COVID-19 patients who are fighting for life and supporting their families. Thankfully the majority of these patients make a good recovery. Tragically our staff sometimes witness patients lose their battle with coronavirus, being with them until the end. Many of our staff have not been able to go home to their families, some have contracted the virus and some of these have sadly died.

Our role as an NHS Charity has now changed; we are looking to the future and how we can best support our own staff as they adjust to normality. Many will find it hard to cope and feel overwhelmed by their emotions, alone and isolated in their own personal struggle.

Thanks to the generosity of our community, we have already provided dedicated wellbeing rooms where staff can take a well deserved break and gather their thoughts before returning to complete the rest of their long shift. We have also supported the provision of wobble rooms. These rooms give staff the opportunity to recharge and refresh in private.

Thinking ahead, we will need to do even more to care for our heroes, providing counselling, psychotherapy and stress reduction, away days, training, team bonding, relaxation and meditation sessions.

Your gift will help us to do this. Anything we raise over and above what might be needed will go towards helping our hospitals continue to give exceptional care in the future. Thank you.