Simply incredible! Appeal set up to fund equipment for NHS heroes raises £23,000

An appeal set up to fund vital personal protection equipment (PPE) for health workers in the Boston district has ended after raising a staggering £23,000.
NHS heroes say thanks for fundraisingNHS heroes say thanks for fundraising
NHS heroes say thanks for fundraising

Rachel Bray set up the fund at the beginning of April, with an initial target of raising £1,000.

But over the last eight weeks, the money has flowed in – and it has funded thousands of face shields, scrub bags, masks, arm covers and more for use in Boston’s Pilgrim hospital and other health providers.

These have included care homes, schools, GP surgeries, and pharmacies.

NHS heroes say thanks for fundraisingNHS heroes say thanks for fundraising
NHS heroes say thanks for fundraising

Rachel said: “I am absolutely blown away by everyone’s generosity. To think my initial target back on 4th April was £1000, it’s just been incredible!”

She said Pilgrim Hospital is now no longer accepting donated items other than scrubs, so decided the time was right to end the fundraising page.

“But more face shields will be produced should they be needed again at a later time, and we are continuing to help other settings too with free shields including community teams like Marie Curie and doctors surgeries.

“So many people have benefitted from the donations of PPE & items. More than 2,000 face shields were donated to Pilgrim alone, with many more hundreds helping community teams, care homes, schools, GP surgeries, Pharmacies and other settings!

Health care heroes say thanks for fundraisingHealth care heroes say thanks for fundraising
Health care heroes say thanks for fundraising

“More than 1,000 scrub bags have been made by sewers so staff can wash their kit in, over 3,000 arm sleeve covers, over 1,000 masks, over 1,000 disposable car seat covers, over 60 sets of scrubs, over 300 plastic ear protectors, to anti mist visor spray, barrier cream for sore faces, lip balms and thousands of items in between!

“What an achievement! Thanks again to every single one of you that has donated!

Whether it’s monetary or sewing scrub bags like Tina Lewis, Gemma Houghton and all the sewers, you are fabulous!

“Whether you’ve donated items, been staying at home, shared a post, donated a raffle prize, it really has been a community effort!

NHS heroes say thanks for fundraisingNHS heroes say thanks for fundraising
NHS heroes say thanks for fundraising

“And the shield making guys have made a huge difference in keeping people safe. Stephen Russell, Brad Bourne and team - so glad I found you!”

Local stores and supermarkets also donated face wipes and baby wipes, McCartneys Food Service donated cakes to take to staff, and Morrisons in Skegness donated more than 400 Easter Eggs for those working at Pilgrim on Easter Sunday.

She said the remaining £976.25 lwill be donated back to two local charities, Boston League of Hospital Friends and Pilgrim Hospital Support Shop.

“I know that the money will then still go on equipment for Pilgrim,” said Rachel.

She finished by saying: “I would just like to thank each & every person working at Pilgrim, or in the community and to all key workers - you are all truly amazing!

Thank you for all you are doing!”

Related topics: