Coronavirus: NHS charities aim to turn claps into cash for healthcare workers

‘Thousands of staff are risking their lives every day for us and many of them are now sick themselves or at breaking point,’ charity chief says

People across the nation have taken to their gardens, windows and balconies to applaud NHS staff across the last two weeks (PA)

Charities dedicated to supporting the work of NHS staff and volunteers are appealing for a million people across the country to donate cash alongside their applause for healthcare workers tonight.

For the past two weeks, people across the nation have taken to their gardens, windows and balconies to applaud NHS staff treating those suffering with coronavirus.

Now in a major appeal for financial support aimed at helping those on the frontlines of the fight against Covid-19, the NHS Charities Together umbrella group, which incorporates 150 NHS charities, has called on people to accompany their claps with cash.

The organisation hopes to inspire at least a million people to show their backing for the NHS by texting “clap” along with a message of support and a donation of £5 to 70507.

Donations will then be used to provide supplies and support to NHS staff and volunteers — including food, travel, accommodation and counselling.

Individual messages of support will be forwarded to local NHS charities and sent to the donors’ local hospital.

Ellie Orton, chief executive of NHS Charities Together, said: “Like everyone else I’ve been incredibly moved by the millions of us showing our public support for our health service over the last two Thursday evenings. I really hope #OneMillionClaps inspires those who can to give a donation that will make a real difference to the amazing staff and volunteers who are daily saving lives and battling against this horribly virus on our behalf.”

She added: “Thousands of staff are risking their lives every day for us and many of them are now sick themselves or at breaking point. If we can raise £5 million tonight, it will go a long way to providing them and their families with the support they so desperately need.”

It comes as footballers across the premier league also announced their support for the charity network, with players from across the top tier of English football’s 20 teams sharing a joint statement last night in support of the health service.

It comes after players were criticised for continuing to earn while stadium staff were furloughed by some major clubs — with the health secretary Matt Hancock saying he believed players should take a pay cut.

The statement said the campaign was “separate to any other club and league conversations”.

“Over the course of the last week we, as a group of Premier League players, have held numerous talks together with the vision of creating a contribution fund that can be used to distribute money to where it’s needed most in this Covid-19 crisis; helping those fighting for us on the NHS frontline as well as other key areas of need”, it added.

“This is a critical time for our country and for our NHS, and we are determined to help in any way that we can.”