A HEARTFELT expression of thanks – plus a plea for even more support – has gone out to Thurrock residents through Thurrock Nub News from a nurse right on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis.

Julie Dann, 51, works in the critical care unit at Basildon and Thurrock Hospital. The brave and much-loved nurse from Stanford-le-Hope has been on site for weeks – forsaking her borough home and family to stay in accommodation at the hospital between her long and arduous shifts on duty.

She has also handed over the loves of her life – her dogs, to be cared for by a friend while she fights coronavirus.

Julie, who remains passionate and ebullient despite the emotional and physical toll being taken by long and difficult shifts caring for patients stricken by Covid-19, says she is immensely proud of her nursing colleagues and all the staff at Basildon, who are at the epicenter of battling the virus.

Julie said: "Basildon has been nominated as the hospital centre for critical care in the region so we are getting patients who are very ill coming in from all over.

"We are literally fighting a war. It's an invisible war but we are all fighting it together."

It's a war that is seeing more battles won than lost – but the casualty list is still incredibly high and heart-wrenching. As of Sunday 121 people had died at the hospital. And it's a list that is not going to stop growing.

Many families from Thurrock have already lost loved ones despite the best efforts of Julie and her colleagues. Among them is the Orsett Whitmore Arms landlady Margaret Orman, whose death touched the hearts of hundreds across the community.

But Julie warns that there are unlikely to be many who aren't affected somehow. "This is such an awful thing and it is so easily communicable that it's inevitable that the number of people who are infected is still going to rise before it begins to get better. When this is all over there won't be many who don't know of someone who has died from it."

That is the stark reality. It could be one that sparks fear into the hearts of the carers who have to step into the frontline – and across the country we have already seen doctors and nurses who have contracted the virus and have died.

But that won't stop Julie and the doctors, nurses and staff at Basildon from doing the best they can.

And that's where the people of Thurrock can help too. To help keep Julie and her colleagues as safe as possible.

Despite the best efforts of the NHS and the hospital management team, the staff are still chronically short of protective equipment. Some are having to go through 12 hour shifts wearing the same garments just to try and make the supplies last.

"It's not the hospital's fault. The management here are absolutely brilliant, they are doing the best they can to keep us supplied but as fast as thing come in, they are used up. We are creating another new Covid-19 ward this week so that will drain supplies even further," says Julie.

Julie is part of a team working with one of her friends, Nicola Brooks, to raise funds to get supplies – and that is how local residents can help.

Nicola explains: "Our NHS staff are risking their own health and that of their families to look after us and our families. The staff are going to work without adequate equipment to do the job safely. Members of my family and my friends are working for Basildon Hospital and are risking their lives to protect your families.

"Some of you may know that I have been trying to raise awareness and equipment through donations for Basildon Hospital. Although it seems I need to do more to make this successful.

"I have decided that to do my bit and raise awareness, I will be taking part in a half marathon. Of course I will be following the guidelines around social distancing and completing this alone.

"My aim is to raise donations of essential PPE which I will deliver to Basildon hospital, to say thank-you for all the hard work that the staff are doing as they continue to protect us.

"I have enlisted the help of colleagues at Basildon Hospital to make sure the funds are spent wisely and where needed.

"Now please remember, I am nearly 50. I am unfit and I do not take part in any regular activity. But I want to push myself to complete the 13.1miles, and I hope you will support me with your donations."

Nicola has already beaten the initial target, but with your help it can skyrocket. Please donate through her crowdfunding page here.

Nicola's effort is one of many that is helping Julie and the teams at Basildon carry on the fight.

And the support has not gone unnoticed, even by those 'trapped'' within the hospital walls.

"We all known how much support we have been getting for the whole NHS," said Julie.

"It's so lovely, overwhelming and is emotional.

"We are all so grateful. One thing I would say though is that although it is a wonderful gesture, we are getting an awful lot of food donations for staff.

"It's great and I wouldn't want anyone who has donated to feel we are not appreciative but at the end of the day we are getting food here.

"Those of us with badges can go out and we are grateful to get priority time at local shops – thank you for that – but there is only so much food we can accumulate.

"What we really are short of is protective equipment. Of the right sort of supplies and hopefully there are people and businesses in particular out there who can help get us the right equipment.

"Anything that anyone can do to help – even if it's just supporting efforts like Nicola's – or by sending us protective equipment is a huge help.

"All the items will go to be checked by our clinical care team before it's put to use and we would be grateful if people who have items they think might be useful to contact the hospital to arrange donation.

"The thing about this crisis is this. It affects everyone but we can beat it it and it's a fight we are all in together. Thanks you all so much for supporting and helping us, it really has touched all our hearts."

Editor's note: "Over the past few weeks I have spoken to many people about coronavirus.

Julie is one of the first right at the heart of the front line. She encapsulates everything we have celebrated about the NHS.

"I must say I was blown away by her courage, determination and above all else Julie's optimism and cheerfulness. She is an inspiration to us all and hopefully we can repay her faith and thanks by supporting Nicola's appeal and others like it" – Neil Speight.

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