Oxford Mail:

Over the course of just a few short weeks, Covid-19 has brought the country to its knees.

Now more than ever we are reliant on our doctors, nurses and healthcare workers.

These guardians of the community are serving on the frontline under impossible pressure.

While the majority of the population are confined to their homes, these heroes are forsaking their own health and wellbeing and putting people like you and I first.

We think it is time for us to say, "THANK YOU".

Oxford Mail:

The Oxford Mail is today launching a campaign to raise money for the Oxford Hospitals Charity.

We are doing this under our ongoing #ThereWithYou campaign umbrella, which is also backing local, independent and family-run businesses.

We have had a long and great relationship with this incredible charity, raising millions of pounds through the OX5 Run.

Unfortunately, coronavirus has put a stop to this year's event. Now, more than ever, our hospitals need our help.

Money can be donated directly to the charity at hospitalcharity.co.uk.

Here, you can select where you want your donation to go.

If you would like to support frontline staff through this challenging time, visit hospitalcharity.co.uk/appeal/staffsupport

If you would like to make a donation over the phone, call 01865 743 444.

Eleanor Jones, head of fundraising from Oxford Hospitals Charity said: "We have all woken up in a world where it seems almost everything has changed.

"But one thing that does remain constant is our love for, and reliance on, the incredible NHS teams working in our hospitals.

"Oxford Hospitals Charity has a long history of supporting the John Radcliffe, Churchill, Horton General, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and Oxford Children’s Hospital.

"But in these unprecedented times the need for our work is greater than ever.

"We are liaising very closely with the OUH Trust to ensure that we are able to give extra support to hospital staff and help in whatever way we can.

"This starts with little things like pizzas, drinks and snacks to provide quick and easy refreshment for teams working in extraordinary circumstances.

"Care packs are being delivered regularly for those working long hours and those now based in hotels to be as close to their workplace as possible.

"We are also coordinating many of the offers of help coming in. We know many people are thinking of the NHS staff here, and that means a lot.

"But it is really important that the charity organises this as members of the public must avoid coming to the hospital unless absolutely necessary.

"Going forward we know there will be many other needs to make sure our staff, patients and their families are supported through these weeks and months "We are always incredibly grateful for the support we get from the Oxford Mail – and we have worked together over many, many years.

"Today we ask readers to show their love and respect for the incredible teams working through this very difficult time by supporting our urgent appeal.

‘The easiest thing to do if you want to help is make a donation on our website at www.hospitalcharity.co.uk/staffsupport . Or if you prefer call us on 01865 743444 and we can help you make a donation. Your support mean we can act quickly to fund whatever is most needed.

‘We are incredibly inspired by the efforts we are seeing from staff across the hospitals and so very grateful for the support and love that comes from the Oxfordshire community.

"Thank you to all who are thinking of our staff."

We know that everyone is struggling at the moment - any donation, no matter how small, means so much.

At this time of hardship, it is important for us, the community, to bring some joy and happiness to those who are giving us so much.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Grab a copy of the Oxford Mail on April 2 (Thursday) for a poster you can pop in your window to say thank you to your NHS heroes.

Oxford Mail:

Other ways you can get involved:

Tell us what the frontline staff mean to you.

Email news@nqo.com- we will be using the loveliest messages and nicest stories in the paper over the coming weeks.

Join our campaign:

Share the fundraising link and tweet: #ThankYouNHS

  • Send us a picture of you holding up a piece of paper reading #ThankYouNHS and we will print it in a special picture spread next week.