Originally published at: https://hornseacommunitynews.uk/featured/local-fundraisers-support-hospitals-fighting-coronavirus/
LOCAL fundraisers have been setting themselves challenges to support local hospitals through the WISHH charity. Hull University Teaching Hospitals Trust’s official charity WISHH approached its Chief Executive, Chris Long, to offer its support to the hospitals and staff during one of the most challenging times in the history of the NHS.
WISHH recognised that the demands of dealing with the Coronavirus would fall heavily on staff working within the hospitals. They wanted to support them delivering care in these exceptionally challenging circumstances. So they launched the WISHH COVID-19 Appeal.
To date the campaign has raised over £60,000 from across the community.
Antony Baines fundraising
Antony Baines from Leven is a Firefighter. He set up a £5 for 5k challenge. He challenged the community, friends, serving Fire Service staff to either run or walk 5k and donate to the charity. Over 300 people have taken part in his challenge or donated. Antony himself ran around Leven in full firefighter kit raising over £3,000 for the appeal.
On Saturday, May 9 Antony completed a burpee challenge to raise further funds for the charity. Antony was joined in the challenge by his wife Anna, Tony Newman, Rachel Kemp, and Adrian Palmer all doing the burpees. Paula Evans followed along from home doing other exercises too. Antony committed to do a burpee for every additional pound donated. He commented: “in the end we did 665 burpees! In total we raised almost £1000 with the burpee drive. There were other donations made after the total cut off. No injuries to report, just a few sore muscles for a couple of days!” Antony did the session in between shifts at work.
Bethany Blanchard fundraising
Bethany Blanchard, 13, from Hornsea raised £820 for the charity. She sold hand painted rainbow badges and keyrings which she posted all over the country. She also gave away 100 of each to key workers, family and friends. Bethany’s mum Lorna Andrew commented: “Bethany worked alone in the making of them. We never thought a little project would turn out to be so big. I am a super proud mum.”
Bethany is a keen footballer and was delighted when Hull City Football Club Legend Dean Windass did a shout out video on his twitter. He congratulated her on her efforts. She also appeared on BBC Radio Humberside where she was named their hero of the week.
Thank you from WISHH
Lisa Whitton, WISHH Charity Manager said: “We would like to sincerely thank everyone who has supported our campaign to date. All Hull Hospitals staff are doing a tremendous job in these exceptional circumstances
delivering incredible care to their patients. Many staff have been deployed to new roles to meet the challenge that COVID-19 virus has brought to the hospitals in Hull.”
Sue Stephenson, WISHH Chairman said, “We are immensely proud of all of our fundraisers who have come up with some fantastic ways of raising the much needed support for our hospitals, boosting the morale of staff
and helping support their wellbeing during these unprecedented times. We are all in it together and it’s a collective effort in us tacking the virus and supporting the Trust’s staff. We are incredibly grateful for the
support our appeal has received.
“We recognise that the current challenges faced by all NHS staff will be with us for an extended period of time and as a charity are committed to providing our support for as long as required and we hope the community
will support us in this effort. Thank you.”