Covid appeal reaches every part of UK
The support from the public over the last 18 months has been heartfelt. People have wanted to do their bit to support the NHS to help it cope with the unprecedented challenges of Covid-19 which continue to put pressures on our health services. As the umbrella organisation representing all NHS charities associated with hospitals, mental health, ambulance and community health services across the UK, we became the focal point for that outpouring of support.
In March 2020 we launched our Urgent Covid-19 Appeal, raising over £15million in the first five days. This was thanks to a £10 million donation from XTX Markets, £5 million from the Rausing family and thousands generously donated by supporters across the UK. The appeal went on to raise £150 million to support patients, hospital staff, and volunteers at the frontline of the coronavirus crisis.
Nation gets behind the NHS
Hundreds of thousands of people got behind the NHS, from clapping on doorsteps to donating to our ‘One million claps’ campaign. The incredible Captain Sir Tom Moore raised nearly £40 million for our Covid appeal, and thousands of other supporters, including six-year-old Frank Mills and three-year old Daisy Briggs, made personal sacrifices to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds in their own ways – from walking or running to sky diving, dancing or baking.
Joe Wicks generously donated proceeds from his amazing efforts to get the nation exercising and Jordan Henderson coordinated Premier League footballers to fundraise for the NHS. In total we raised an unbelievable £150 million pounds.
Despite being a small team, we mobilised quickly to allocate funds to reach every part of the UK, through our 240 member NHS charities, helping patients, staff and volunteers at this incredibly challenging time. Our grants were issued in three phases to support urgent needs, community partnerships and NHS recovery.
Projects funded have included bereavement support for patients, counselling and wellbeing support for staff, research into Long-Covid, specialist equipment, and funding for thousands of emergency response volunteers.
We would like to thank the amazing individual and corporate supporters who enabled this to happen. You have made a huge difference to NHS patients and staff.
There is still so much more to do
Sadly the pressure on our NHS and its staff is relentless. The pandemic has exacerbated every challenge for our health service and reminded us just how much we rely on it. More staff than ever are facing burnout. And our communities have more elderly people and long-term conditions to care for, with increasing numbers across all ages waiting for treatment.
NHS resources have their limits which is why the extra support provided by NHS Charities Together will continue to be so important now and in the long term. The NHS and its staff have been there for us at the time when we have needed them most. We will continue to be there for them. And together we can make sure the NHS goes further for everyone.
There is still so much more to do
Sadly the pressure on our NHS and its staff is relentless. The pandemic has exacerbated every challenge for our health service and reminded us just how much we rely on it. More staff than ever are facing burnout. And our communities have more elderly people and long-term conditions to care for, with increasing numbers across all ages waiting for treatment.
NHS resources have their limits which is why the extra support provided by NHS Charities Together will continue to be so important now and in the long term. The NHS and its staff have been there for us at the time when we have needed them most. We will continue to be there for them. And together we can make sure the NHS goes further for everyone.
