Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity is sending a message of thanks to the community for the support shown as the trust continues to provide care to patients in Cornwall during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The community of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have been phenomenal and overwhelmed us with their generosity, kindness and practical offers of help and support.

"We've had donations of food, collections from local communities and individuals and this has had a direct impact upon the staff at our three hospitals across Cornwall - West Cornwall Hospital, St Michael's Hospital and Royal Cornwall Hospital,” said Karen Murrish, fundraising manager for Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity.

To protect patients, staff and the community, and help reduce the spread of infection, the trust has restricted visiting and access across its hospitals.

Therefore the trust and charity are now asking anyone wishing to support staff to contribute, where at all possible, to the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity Covid-19 Fund, which will be used for staff wellbeing in the coming weeks and months.

Karen said: “It really is humbling how everyone is pulling together to support our inspiring, courageous, dedicated and talented colleagues and thank you doesn't feel enough. We are sincerely grateful and all of these gestures mean so much to us all. We would kindly ask that members of the public do not come to our hospitals with donations.

"We'd love you to continue helping our staff by supporting this change in direction of support to help us to keep our patients, staff and of course our community safe."

The RCHT Charity Covid-19 Fund will support the wellbeing and welfare of staff as a part of the whole trust health and wellbeing strategy during the pandemic.

Rehan Afzal, head of organisational development at Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, added: “Across the hospitals the trust are supporting colleagues with improved catering and rest facilities, access to free onsite parking and other wellbeing provisions.

"We’ll continue to increase our health and wellbeing offering and the RCHT Charity Covid-19 Fund will go a long way in providing staff with much needed support.

"At this time we are also acutely aware of the real hardship coronavirus is causing in many households across our communities, who have lost income and been unable to afford to buy food, and we are keen to see their local food banks and communities supported by encouraging people who can, to help them too."

Anyone wishing to support Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity is asked to donate or set up their own fundraising page through the dedicated Covid-19 campaign page www.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/RCHTCovid19