THROUGHOUT the Covid-19 pandemic, Tops Winchester, at Royal Hampshire County Hospital, has been supporting its local NHS hospitals in Hampshire.

The children took part in lots of activities, including making wreaths and posters for the hospital to display, and having a Superhero Day where they learnt about the work NHS staff do.

As a thank you, the charity team at the Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) has invited Tops Day Nurseries to be a part of its 10th Birthday Celebration, which launched this month and is running throughout 2022.

The aim of the event is to celebrate HHFT staff, their achievements, and to say thank you to those who have worked tirelessly every day to deliver outstanding patient care.

The nursery also wants to build support from local Hampshire communities to raise funds for NHS heroes. All money raised will be invested back into the staff and patients to provide the little extras that go above and beyond what the NHS can provide.

Bianca Happle, nursery manager at Tops Winchester, said: "During the pandemic, we have supported the hospital by showing our appreciation and thanks for all that they do. The children got involved in their Christmas campaign and made a lovely wreath for the hospital to display. We have also made various pictures and thank you signs which have been hung up outside hospital grounds.

"It has been so important that our nursery has been able to stay open during the pandemic. We have been able to care for and support the most vulnerable children and help them and their families in the most crucial five years of their life. Having the children of doctors and nurses at Winchester Hospital attend our nursery has also had a great impact on us staying open and being able to support them in keeping the country going, so thank you."

Steve Erskine, chairman of Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Hampshire Hospitals Charity, said: “We can’t thank the staff and children at Tops Nursery Winchester enough. They have supported us throughout the pandemic and have done a fantastic job.

“We love receiving all the drawings and paintings from them. They really brighten up the hospital and staff love seeing them on display.

“The £10 for HHFT10 campaign was launched to raise money for the little extras that help our staff and patients each and every day, from extra development opportunities to health and wellbeing support, and we want to encourage everyone to take part and make a small donation as a special gift to celebrate our trust’s 10th birthday.”

To donate to the ‘£10 for HHFT10’ campaign, please visit justgiving.com/northhampshireh–  and if you are eligible, remember to tick the gift aid box as this will add 25 per cent to every donation you make.

Tops Winchester is part of an award-winning early education and care nursery group, Tops Day Nurseries, which aims to be part of, and contribute to each of their nurseries local communities, and are one of the most eco-sustainable family of day nurseries in the UK, offering childcare from children aged three months to school age with Hi 5’s clubs across Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Somerset and Devon.