Southmead Hospital Charity, the official charity for North Bristol NHS Trust, has received a generous donation of £20,000 towards its Coronavirus Appeal, from Bristol-based car leasing company ALD Automotive. The money will be used to support the NHS on the front line at The Trust which operates Southmead Hospital, Cossham Hospital community health services and the new, temporary UWE Nightingale Hospital.
The donation from ALD for the Coronavirus Appeal will support staff by providing care and welfare packages, as well as funding access to specialist counselling and psychological support. In addition, the charity is also providing financial support to the bereaved families of staff who have sadly lost their lives to Coronavirus.
Sarah Harrison, Director of Southmead Hospital Charity, commented:
“We are very grateful for the wonderful donation from ALD Automotive which will allow us to continue our work in supporting patients and staff at the forefront of fighting Coronavirus at North Bristol NHS Trust. “ALD’s gift has come at a time when the NHS is facing the largest health crisis ever known. Each and every one of the North Bristol NHS Trust’s dedicated staff are working tirelessly to care for all our patients during this pandemic and it is support like this which makes them feel appreciated and valued at this difficult time.”
As well as the donation of £20,000, ALD has donated 4,000 protective seat covers for use by Community Health Teams, to protect them and their patients and help prevent the spread of the virus.
Sarah continues:
"The additional donation of 4,000 seat covers for our community health teams will help them to stay safe as they continue the excellent care they are giving to patients in the community. Although we are in uncertain times, it has been humbling and heart-warming to see how communities and businesses like ALD Automotive have really come together to support the NHS and the work that we do as the official charity for North Bristol NHS Trust."
Tim Laver, ALD’s Managing Director, commented:
“We are privileged to be in a position to help our local NHS heroes. We know that the money will be used locally in Bristol, including to support the new Nightingale Hospital, set up specifically for Covid-19 patients. Because local NHS managers will determine where their money is spent, it will have the greatest impact to support healthcare in the community."