£130 million raised for NHS Charities Together Covid Appeal

Since launching in March, the NHS Charities Together Covid Appeal has raised a staggering £130 million.

Donations have come from all corners of the community, driven by inspirational fundraisers like Captain Tom. Locally, inspiring children like Christian Kilduff, of Heywood, and Ella Chadwick, of Whitworth, have helped raise thousands for the cause.

Both children are classed as being in the high-risk group, which makes their selfless actions even more heartwarming.

Christian, five, helped raise over £30,000 for the NHS by walking three miles with his walking frame for the health service, which saved his life when he was born.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/134315/christian-kilduff-raises-over-27000-for-nhs-with-immense-challenge

Taking his first breath at 24 minutes old, Christian was left with a HIE brain injury from the lack of oxygen. Placed on a ventilator to try and save his life, he was given less than a 1% chance of coming out of the coma.

Miraculously, the brave little boy, who has also been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and registered severely sight impaired, has proved critics wrong.

 

 

Ella, 12, also owes her life to the NHS, as she was born with a rare kidney disease, Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome, surviving over 40 gruelling operations in her first six years before having a lifesaving kidney donated from her grandmother.

As a thank you to the health service, Ella, who usually takes part in the Great Manchester Mini Run each May, decided to undertake her own 2.6 challenge in her front garden, raising over £1,000.

Even after her tough start in life, Ella has never let that stop her, pouring all of her determined efforts into supporting the hospital and raising funds to help other sick children.

In October 2018, Ella was recognised with the Child of Courage Award at the Pride of Britain awards ceremony and has since had a local race named after her.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/123489/ella-chadwick-wins-pride-of-britain-award

More than £30 million has already been distributed to local NHS charities to support NHS staff, volunteers and their patients as they tackle the Covid-19 crisis.

The funds have been used to meet the immediate and urgent needs of staff, volunteers and patients as well as helping tackle the longer term effects on health and wellbeing – providing nutritious food and drink, somewhere comfortable to take a break during long shifts, supplying electronic-tablets so patients, staff and volunteers can stay in contact with friends and family, “wobble” rooms and specialised psychological support for staff struggling with stress, trauma and separation from their loved ones as they battled the virus.

Local NHS charities have widened the scope of the support they are providing, to help vital partnerships outside hospitals, such as hospices, community healthcare and social care, making sure those vital support services and organisations are resourced to provide the care to patients, volunteers and staff.

They are also providing additional support where it is most urgently needed by NHS staff, volunteers and patients in their area, with a focus on support for people who are disproportionately affected by the Covid crisis, such as patients and staff from BAME communities (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic) and high-risk groups like those living with disabilities.

In the longer term the money raised will also fund programmes to help staff and families recover fully once the crisis has abated, reducing the long-term impact on them and the people they care about.

Ellie Orton, CEO of NHS Charities Together, has been bowled over by the response from the public. She said: “When we started the appeal, we never imagined we would hit a total like this in just a few months.

“On behalf of all our member charities and the NHS staff, volunteers and patients they support, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has made that possible, your generosity is making such a difference.”

Sir Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, said: “On behalf of all the staff and patients who have benefited, I’d like to thank everyone who has led or contributed to this massive fundraising effort, which is already making a difference across the country and will continue to do so for years to come.

“This year has been the most challenging in NHS history and our colleagues have gone to extraordinary lengths to care for all those who have needed it, but we haven’t done it alone, and the public’s support has been vital - whether raising money for added extras, volunteering in their local community, or simply staying home to stop infection spreading.”