Southmead Hospital Charity, the official charity for North Bristol NHS Trust, has received a donation of £20,000 towards its coronavirus appeal, from 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 University of West England (UWE) Nightingale Hospital.

The donation from ALD for the appeal will support staff by providing care and welfare packages, as well as funding access to specialist counselling and psychological support.

Sarah Harrison, director of Southmead Hospital Charity, said: “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 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.”

Southmead Hospital Charity is also providing financial support to bereaved families of staff who have sadly lost their lives to coronavirus.

ALD has also donated 4,000 protective seat covers for use by community health teams, to protect them and patients and to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Harrison said: “The 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, managing director at ALD, said: “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.”

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