Back in March, we reported how staff at the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital, along with hospitals across the world, were facing their biggest ever challenge.
In response, the N&N Hospitals Charity launched its Covid 19 Emergency Appeal which to date, stands at nearly £25,000 which will support our staff during these unprecedented times.
However, the charity and the hospital have also received an unprecedented show of support from the entire community with individuals, groups and businesses big and small doing everything they can to support our staff.
Our Trust prepared for coronavirus by turning the hospital into separate zones to treat patients both with and without Covid 19 while preventing infection. This has meant the creation of pop-up staff rooms and areas where staff can take a break – a huge thank you to Hughes Trade which stepped in not just once, but twice, to supply firstly four fridges, microwaves and kettles, and then another 20 sets of appliances to kit out the areas. OWS water supplies contacted us to provide water coolers, followed by the regional Nespresso team who delivered coffee machines and supplies.
We all discovered just how talented and resourceful our schools are (we knew that already!) with many turning their Design and Technology Departments into production lines, manufacturing visors, masks, scrubs and scrub bags for frontline NHS staff while also donating the schools’ supplies of goggles.
Norwich School, Framingham Earl High, Hobart High, Wymondham College, the UEA, B&Q, Amari Plastics, Wickes and many others have donated supplies to the hospital and we are so grateful for these items which help our staff save lives.
With some cancer care moving to the Spire Hospital just along the road from the N&N, asset finance company Chatsbrook donated the use of a car to deliver of the lifesaving chemotherapy treatment to patients.
Hand cream, hand soap and toiletries have been in huge demand and thanks to donations of both items and money, including those from Beauty Box and Lucy Bee Coconut, we have been able to ensure our staff stay safe and as comfortable as possible.
Heritage Wills and Face to Face Finance, which are supporting the charity during our October Make a Will Month, have waived its basic fee for the will writing service for staff as well as making a donation to the charity.
We have been incredibly fortunate to receive funds from the Norfolk Community Foundation, Associated NHS Charities and other grant giving bodies as well as fantastic donations of £5,000 from Broadland Drinks and £4,550 from the Norfolk and Norwich Indian Society and Committee Members.
Local farm shops, including Old Hall Farm and Walsingham Farm Shop, are holding weekly pop-up markets on the hospital site, selling everyday items to staff who have been unable to get to shops – staff have also been treated to freshly cooked Thai and Indian meals and pizza from some of our local restaurants and take aways.
Britvic, Starbucks, Costa, McDonald’s and Innocent have donated drinks while Kettle Chips and Sponge Cakes have also treated staff along with local company, the Tea Lady who donated 100 jars of jam.
Easter also didn’t stop the amazing donations, with thousands of eggs delivered to ensure almost every staff member and patient received an egg. Easter crafts and activity packs were also donated to our youngest patients, including from Harvester in Lowestoft, and adult colouring books and puzzle books have been dropped off from local schools and supermarkets.
Our days have also been brightened by donations of flowers and plants from Taverham Nursery and Emms Stems which have been given to staff as a small thank you at the end of their shifts.
We have so many virtual fundraisers around the county, including Reads Property Developments which has created a drawing competition for families in which participants donate £1 to enter and the winner will receive £500 to spend on leisure activities once life has resumed and quizzes and concerts have also been set up to our charity.
This is just an example of some of the amazing generosity we have received and we are sorry if we have not included you (the list would go on and on) but please know that we are so grateful to each and every one of you who has contributed in some way
You can make a donation to our Emergency Fund here https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/nnuhnhsappeal
If you would like to contribute in another way, please contact the fundraising team via email at fundraising@nnuh.nhs.uk
