£125k raised for RAH patients
RAH appeal organiser Paul is blown away as parcels roll in
More than £125,000 of donations have been ordered for patients fighting coronavirus at the Royal Alexandra hospital.
Thousands of boxes have been delivered to the Paisley hospital in less than one week thanks to generous Buddies and other community members.
The online RAH Covid Patients’ Appeal - which now has more than 8,000 supporters - has saw those staying in hospital without any visits from loved ones getting some comfort thanks to the items bought through the appeal.
It has been so successful that those behind the heartwarming gesture are now able to give out donations to more patients than they initially planned.
Paisley paramedic Paul Shaw, who organised the appeal alongside former school pal John McGlynn, said: “This is really going to give people such a boost.
“We never thought it would get such a fantastic response.”
A staggering £125,000 of items have been donated to coronavirus patients at the Royal Alexandra Hospital thanks to an online appeal.
The RAH Covid Patients’ Appeal was launched less than a week ago and now has more than 8,000 donors who have helped provide essentials and gifts to those battling the virus alone in hospital.
Thousands of boxes have been delivered to the Paisley hospital so far, thanks to generous Buddies and others across Glasgow - with seven cages being delivered on Saturday.
It has been so successful, that the donated items are now set to be given to all patients in the hospital who are unable to have visitors.
Paramedic Paul Shaw, who set up the appeal with former school pal and Paisley businessman John McGlynn, told how the boxes are being delivered faster than they can count.
Paisley man Paul, who has been a paramedic for 15 years, said: “The amount of stuff that is being delivered is just amazing.
“Every time we try and count the orders, even more come in and make it impossible.
“It is just fantastic.
“The analysis on the Amazon page said it is over £125,000 so far which is just unbelievable.
“We thought we would have had 400 or so people signed up, but this just shows how much people want to help.
“We were originally only going to be giving the donations to the patients in the ICU - but we have so much stuff we will be cascading it to all wards who have patients unable to have visitors.
“It will give these people a massive boost.”
Paul is in charge of the appeal’s Amazon ‘wish list’ which enables people to pick items to donate to patients and staff.
He regularly updates the list with requests from patients for things that would make life a little easier for them while stuck in hospital.
Now with thousands of orders made, Paul said the appeal has become a “welcome challenge” as he is delighted with the positive impact it is having on staff and patients.
He says he has also been overwhelmed by the number of people willing to offer their help to keep the appeal going.
Paul added: “It is really lifting people’s spirits. Patients are going through a really hard time and staff are under immense pressure and are working round the clock.
“I have had messages from staff to say it is making a real difference to them as well as the patients.
“It’s now reaching so many people that it has become a full time job to keep on top of it, but I am so happy to do it.
“I have also had more than 300 messages from people offering to help with parcels which are being delivered.
“It has just been remarkable.” If you would like to make a donation, go to RAH Covid Patients Appeal on Facebook.