Fundraiser for Conquest Hospital staff reaches ‘amazing’ amount

The fund, set up last week by the Friends of Conquest Hospital, aims to provide comfort and sustenance for staff who are working very long hours day and night.

On Wednesday (April 1), the Friends of Conquest Hospital said the support fund has so far received £7,333.

A total of £600 of that has been spent on a fridge, two microwaves, and four kettles to help set up two temporary kitchenettes for staff.

The first delivery of snacks, biscuits, coffee, tea, water, and juices is being delivered by Matron Chin Barton to staff today.

According to the Friends, the Trust is setting up a ‘hub’ in the chaplaincy at Conquest, where it will manage the distribution of the donated snack food, coffee, tea, and cake purchased with the fund. It will then be offered, for free, to staff working at the Conquest.

The Trust said it will ensure it is fairly distributed and reaches those staff members most in need. There are currently more than 2,000 members of staff working at the hospital.

The hub will also have stocks of toiletries to give to those doctors and nurses who have to sleep overnight at the hospital.

This will include toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower gel, as well as other items.

The Friends have donated six duvets outside of this fund and will be using the fund to buy toiletries supplies.

The Friends offered a big thank you to the Muffin Club of Battle who donated £500 to the fund.

The Department of Works and Pensions, Ashdown house, has also donated £150 of Easter eggs which had been planned for a staff celebration which had been cancelled because of the coronavirus. The Friends have given these out to a few of the doctors and nurses.

Some items received from the general public have also been placed into the hub.

The Friends said: “The donations received so far have been amazing and the doctors and nurses are incredibly touched by this generosity.”

To donate, please visit www.conquestlof.org.uk