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Tragedy-hit family helps hospital

A bereaved family has handed over a donation of much-need toiletries to support staff and patients at New Cross Hospital.

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Hospital chief executive, David Loughton, Rebecca Greybanks and Michelle Rafferty

Michelle Rafferty and her cousin Rebecca Greybanks, both lost two family members due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

They found that nurses were having to buy toiletries for patients in intensive care and the cousins wanted to do something to support the hospital and relieve some of the pressure on NHS staff.

Michelle said: “I recently lost my aunty and uncle to the virus.

“This is how I came to find out that ITU’s are in desperate need of toiletries for patients such as shower gel, body spray, combs and detangle spray. This is due to patients families not being able to provide them due to their own illness or isolation.

“It has come to light that some of the nurses are buying toiletries for the patients out of their own money.”

To support the ITU staff at New Cross Hospital, the cousins came together to set up a fundraising page to buy toiletries to donate to the hospital.

The first batch of donations has been dropped off and was met with thanks from the hospital staff.

Donations are still being accepted for further products to be purchased.

Michelle added: “We all know the extreme pressure they are under at the moment without having to worry about providing toiletries for their patients too.

“So, if we can do one small thing to alleviate some of that pressure, let’s do it.

“Please donate however much you can, even if it’s just 50p it can buy a small shower gel.”

To donate to Michelle and Rebecca's fundraiser visit their GoFundMe page.

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