A DAILY ECHO-backed appeal to support our under pressure NHS staff has raised more than £15,000 in just over a week.

Food and wellness packages are being provided to NHS staff fighting the coronavirus in Southampton.

Organisers of the appeal have issued a huge thanks but say much more needs to be raised.

A total of £15, 400 has been raised so far to support NHS staff who work at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS).

It comes after the Daily Echo backed a Southampton Hospitals Charity campaig for help following an increased demand for services and frontline staff at UHS due to the coronavirus pandemic.

IT forms part of the Daily Echo #ThereWithYou to support residents and commit to shine a light on unsung heroes in our community.

Catherine Jordan, from Southampton Hospitals Charity, said that some of the money has been used to buy wellness packages with hand creams, food supplies and mental health support information new coffee machines to be distributed across the hospital have been ordered. 

The charity is also in the process of securing milk, refreshments and paper deliveries, Ms Jordan said. 

She added: “Through public donations we are already making a difference to our University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation staff by quickly responding to their immediate needs as requested by them.

“But there is so much more that is needed like iPads for our Occupational Health colleagues enabling them to do interactive sessions with staff whilst remaining off site; tablets for our staff so that they can connect safely with their loved ones at home whilst working long shifts or isolating themselves. We have also identified a safe space for staff, but the room needs remodelling in order to support their needs.”

She also thanked a number of businesses including IKEA Southampton, TK Maxx, Ahmed Tea, Kimbridge Barn, Uncle Ben’s for donations.

“The whole community has pulled together to support our NHS staff and we are forever grateful,” Ms Jordan said.

The initiative is aimed at boosting morale and support the mental health and wellbeing of the frontline NHS staff who are caring for Covid-19 patients.

To donate visit www.southamptonhospitalscharity.org/NHSheroes or text NHSHEROES 3 to 70460 to donate £3; NHSHEROES 5 to 70460 to donate £5; NHSHEROES 10 to 70460 to donate £10.