More than £500,000-worth of goods donated

GENEROUS businesses have donated more than £500,000-worth of goods for well-being packages for NHS workers in Manchester and Trafford at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT).

Food, drink and clothing companies from across the UK have donated goods to Manchester Foundation Trust Charity, whose staff have spent a busy few weeks making them into well-being packs for MFT colleagues.

The packs are to thank staff for their dedication during these unprecedented times. Pallets of goods continue to arrive at the Charity’s headquarters off Oxford Road, Manchester. Items range from clothing, toiletries and sanitary products, to staff room essentials such as tea, coffee and instant noodles, to treat items such as chocolate and moisturisers.

However, the Charity is now urging people to consider donating in other ways, so they can provide on-going staff well-being support, training and development over the coming weeks and months.

A special appeal has been launched called #ThankyouTeamMFT and MFT Charity is encouraging people who want to support their local NHS workers to make a donation.

MFT Chairman Kathy Cowell OBE DL said: “We’re incredibly grateful to all the businesses who have given so generously during these unprecedented and challenging times – it is very much appreciated by all our staff.

“We now have a number of products which will enable the Charity team to keep distributing well-being packs for a number of weeks so we’d like to switch the emphasis to other ways that you can contribute. You’ll be aware of national campaigns to support the NHS, but we are keen for people to support their local hospitals directly.

“This means that we can use the money raised to ensure that as a Trust we can support our 25,000-strong workforce. Thank you again for all of your support.”

Last week (April 1st), colleagues working at the Oxford Road, Trafford and Wythenshawe campuses were given well-being packs as part of “Wellbeing Wednesday”.

John Dow, a housekeeper at Manchester Royal Infirmary, came to collect some caramel waffles and bread as part of Wellbeing Wednesday at the Trust’s Oxford Road site. He said: “It’s very much appreciated that the various companies and organisations, not just in Manchester but from around the UK, have donated to the NHS. It’s a real morale booster for staff. It’s been brilliant and a really nice touch.”

Haris Khan, a registrar in endometriosis at Manchester Royal Infirmary, said: “All the staff are really grateful and the Charities Team should keep up all the good work. We have received a lot of goodwill from everybody and we’re really grateful that in difficult times, people are thinking about us.”

Caroline Gee, a thoracic specialist nurse from Wythenshawe Hospital, said: “I just want to say thank you for all the donations. It’s a nice gesture and means a lot to everyone at the Wythenshawe Hospital site.”

As the largest NHS trust in the country, MFT has more than 25,000 staff working across a family of ten hospitals and community services in Manchester and Trafford.

For those who want to make a donation and to find out more about the work of MFT Charity and the businesses that have made a donation click here. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #ThankyouTeamMFT on social media.