Warm-hearted Globe readers and Wirral residents have brought joy to the staff of Wirral University Teaching Hospital (WUTH), after our Covid-19 Support Fund passed the £50,000 mark this week.

A joint initiative between the Globe and WUTH, the appeal was launched on April 8 with the intention of raising funds for the trust during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. It will be used on projects to enhance the well-being of NHS staff, volunteers and patients at its sites, including Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge hospitals.

Many groups and individuals have donated or fundraised over the past eight weeks.

Lockdown measures led to some creativity on the part of a number of the fundraisers, including the postal workers from Moreton, who made fancy dress deliveries to homes in Moreton and Leasowe. One brave man had an eye-watering nose hair wax from his young son and another asked his friends to guess the due date of his baby.

Runners are traditionally great fundraisers, but lockdown greatly reduced their opportunities. Rising to the challenge, appeal runners covered 475 miles, equivalent to around 26 marathons, using their permitted daily leisure time.

Janelle Holmes, Chief Executive at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said: “I would like to say a big thank you, on behalf of everyone at the Trust to the people of Wirral and beyond who have been so generous in their donations to our Covid-19 Support Fund appeal. Their support has meant so much to our staff.

“I would also like to say a huge thank you to the Wirral Globe for their support with the appeal. We are now asking our colleagues for their proposals on how they would like to see this spent so it can benefit staff and patients at our hospitals.”

Work is already underway on one project at Arrowe Park Hospital to improve outdoor spaces. There will also be new benches to help people enjoy a much needed break in the fresh air.

Victoria Burrows, Head of Fundraising for the Trust and WUTH Charity, said: “Support for our hospital Charity has grown so much over recent weeks thanks to the generosity and kindness of the whole community. People have been so creative with their fundraising; the Charity team have really enjoyed talking to people about their efforts.”

It’s not just the donations that have given people working in Wirral NHS hospitals such a good feeling; it’s also some of the lovely goodwill messages that have accompanied them on the JustGiving pages, such as:

‘May God bless you and keep you safe’

‘Thanks for all your exceptional service at this most challenging time’

‘We are so proud of all the work you are doing to fight COVID-19 virus’

‘Thank you to all the doctors and nurses and all the other frontline staff working so hard to look after our loved ones’

‘A huge thank you to the cleaners and porters too’

‘Thank you for all the love and care you give day in and day out, the people of Wirral truly appreciate you all’

Readers can donate to the fund by visiting the website: justgiving.com/campaign/WUTHCovid-19appeal or call the WUTH charity team on 0151 482 7788.

The Globe wishes to thank every single person who has helped contribute to the appeal either by donating, fundraising or simply spreading the message.