» How you can support NHS in the fight:
From financial donations to Amazon wishlists and food drop-offs, there are so many ways in which you can thank our NHS heroes and heroines, and also help the patients in their care.
THE best thing you can do to support your local NHS health board in the fight against coronavirus is to stay at home.
Aside from this one obvious and simple action that will help reduce the number of cases of coronavirus and reduce the strain put on staff, health boards across Wales need your help in other ways.
Our NHS heroes are under an immense amount of pressure right now. Some have moved out of their homes to protect their family and many are left completely exhausted after treating Covid-19 patients.
They need our love, care and support just as much as we need them.
We have put together a list of ways in which you can support those giving your local community the care and treatment it needs during this pandemic.
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
The health board with the highest number of confirmed cases, which covers Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Newport and south Powys, set up a fundraising page more than 48 hours ago and yesterday had already raised more than £20,000.
The fundraising page stresses that PPE, ventilators, beds, drugs, consumables and additional staff will all be funded by the Welsh Government and extra funds will be used to support staff wellbeing, essential supplies for patients, and increasing volunteer activity.
It says: “We do not yet fully know how we will utilise your donations as none of us have been in this situation before. We will update this page as further information becomes available.”
To make a donation, search “Aneurin Bevan Health Charity COVID-19/Coronavirus” on the JustGiving site.
An Amazon wishlist has also been set up by the health board which includes items such as toiletries and pyjamas.
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Most health boards in Wales have their own registered charity, where funds are used for a variety of purposes that cover patient and staff welfare, purchases of equipment, and research and education.
To donate to support the work being done at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, which covers the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Rhondda Cynon Taff, the Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil and the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, and all other services in those areas, visit this JustGiving page – justgiving.com/ctuhb.
Alternatively you can post a cheque to the finance department care of Clare Coles, Dewi Sant Hospital, Albert Road, Pontypridd CF37 1LB.
The health board has requested that you state where you would like your donation to go, for example on coronavirus spending.
The funds raised by health board charities do not replace NHS funding but will fund additional items that go over and above what the NHS is providing.
Hywel Dda University Health Board
The health board that covers Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion has set up a fundraising appeal which will directly fund support for the welfare and wellbeing of the NHS staff and volunteers who are caring for Covid-19 patients.
A statement about the campaign says: “Many of you have been asking us how to say thank you to our NHS staff at Hywel Dda who are caring for our local communities at such unprecedented times.
“We have therefore set up this page to enable you to make a donation to show your appreciation for our NHS staff who are working tirelessly to care for our communities.”
If you wish to make a donation visit the JustGiving page – justgiving.com/campaign/HywellDdaNHSCOVID19.
You are also able to make a donation to the health board’s charity through this JustGiving page. The charity supports patients, staff and services all year round.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
As well as setting up an online fundraising page where funds will go directly to the health board’s Make It Better Fund, the health board has set up donation points in stores in Cardiff where you can donate items to help the staff and volunteers.
Two donation points, one in Sainsbury’s Thornhill and another in Boots in Llanishen, have been set up and the health board is asking for donations of tea, coffee, hot chocolate, sugar, UHT milk, drinks, biscuits, crisps, cakes, snacks, chocolate bars, toiletries (deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner) and socks.
To make a monetary donation online, to help fund additional equipment and other resources during these difficult times, visit JustGiving.com and search for “Cardiff & Vale Health Charity SPREAD THE LOVE”.
A fundraising campaign has also been launched by the owner of Waterloo Tea Rooms, Kasim Ali, to fund the provision of free food and drinks for NHS staff at the University Hospital of Wales.
To donate to this campaign go to www.gofundme.com/f/feeding-nhs-staff-at-uhw-heath-hospital.
Betsi Cadwaldr University Health Board
Awyr Las is the charity for the NHS in north Wales and it has launched an urgent appeal for support during this difficult time.
The charity focuses on making life in hospital better for patients, and initiatives to support staff wellbeing are at the core of what the charity does.
There are two ways you can donate online – through their website – www.awyrlas.org.uk – and their JustGiving page.
The money raised will fund additional items for critical care teams and other wards in north Wales affected by the pandemic.
You can also donate by texting “Awyr Las C19” to 70500 to give £5 or press the donate button on their Facebook page.
Swansea Bay University Health Board
Due to a ban on almost all hospital visiting to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the health board has set up an Amazon wishlist for its patients who are running low on toiletries and nightclothes as they have no visitors to bring fresh supplies.
By Monday the health board had already received a staggering 835 parcels since their appeal launched last week.
You can also make a donation to the health board’s charity, Swansea Bay University LHB Charitable Fund and Other Related Charities, on this JustGiving page – justgiving.com/ abmulhb.
The charity uses more than 275 funds to enhance patient and staff welfare in the health board.