NHS Trust make donations to local organisations to say thank you to the community which came together like never before'

Representatives of George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust have made deliveries to local organisations over the Christmas period in recognition of the support they have given to the local community as well as the trust during the pandemic.

Every year the trust collects gifts and other donations to give to local community groups and organisations, and this year there is an extra motive as deliveries have marked the unquestionable support of the NHS by the local community in 2020.

North Warwickshire Borough Councillor Dawn Downes was joined by the Sister of Captain Tom Moore Unit at George Eliot Hospital, as well as members of hospital staff to pass on donations to a number of vital community services.

Donations have been made to Cohort 4, Doorway and a Queen's Road solicitors.

All three organisations play a vital role in caring for the North Warwickshire community. Cohort 4 is a support network for women who have suffered domestic or sexual abuse. Doorway offer support for young homeless people, and have been doing since their formation in 1997.

Donations will be shared out by these organisations to those in need this Christmas, and to let the local community know that the trust is there for them and grateful for all the support it has received during 2020.

Speaking of the importance of this year's donation Cllr Downes said "We couldn't have got through that difficult time without the community holding us up, and now we want to return that caring hand.

"Sometimes it gets really emotional because they really were there for us.

"These are very difficult times for everyone but the staff and the Trust I work with have overwhelmingly supported the organisations we are collecting for."

The deliveries today also highlight the new modular ward that has recently opened at George Eliot hospital, as the sister of the ward was also in attendance.

The 'Captain Tom Moore Unit' opened this Autumn to care for patients undergoing routine surgery.

The £4 million facility was dedicated to the NHS fundraiser after the 680 staff at George Eliot voted overwhelmingly for Captain Tom to be the namesake.

"Our New Captain Tom ward have also walked those extra miles just like Sir Tom himself by donating so many items for the community and supporting us in holding out that caring hand.

"The items are going to many deprived families and will make this Christmas extra special in these difficult dark times and will have the knowledge that we are here to support them as well."

Cllr Downes also highlighted how the support from the North Warwickshire community for the NHS trust this year has clear echoes of the past.

"Ironically years and years ago the community wanted their very own hospital in Nuneaton, and the community sold a pound of everything to collect money to build their very first work house hospital.

"It is just lovely isn't it that years later that community spirit is still there."

A full history of the hospital in Nuneaton can be found by following this link.

"Its ironic that all those years ago our community supported back then and continued today through Covid and those difficult times.

"Clapping and all those thoughtful messages recharged the batteries of our staff and community throughout the pandemic. 

"Communities came together like never before."