A HOSPITAL charity has launched an appeal for funds to help Worcester’s NHS staff save lives during the coronavirus crisis.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity is inviting people to donate funds so they can be directed to where they are needed most during the pandemic.

Yesterday the Government confirmed the virus had already killed 422 people in the UK so far, rising by 87 from the previous day.

A patient in his 80s with underlying health conditions also died at Worcestershire Royal Hospital yesterday after testing positive for Covid-19.

Jason Levy, the charity’s director, said they were proud to be supporting the trust to save lives during the outbreak as people rally behind NHS staff, including doctors and nurses in the frontline.

He said: “The trust is under increased pressure during the current pandemic to support their clinical teams as they go above and beyond in extremely challenging conditions to save as many lives across Worcestershire.”

The hospital charity has launched an appeal page www.justgiving.com/campaign/helpworcsacute for donations to directly support the clinical teams with care packages. They are inviting the public and business to work together to direct emergency funding to where need is greatest. Those who wish to provide support can email wah-tr.helpworcsacute@nhs.net

A dedicated phone line will follow shortly to assist with this and help manage calls from members of the public who want to help, co-ordinating the effort.

Charity director Jason Levy said: “The charity is receiving tremendous offers of support from the Worcestershire community. We are working to ensure those offers are acknowledged, appreciated and used effectively. We would like to urge the public that they follow government guidelines when considering their support.” The charity is working closely with the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce and other local charities to coordinate how they could support services over the coming months.

He added: “It really important to the trust and the charity that everyone that offers support is acknowledged, appreciated and their support is practical, useful and effective, but while they are doing that, they remain safe and follow the current government guidelines.”