STAFF at USP College, which includes the Palmer's College campus in Thurrock, have already beaten a target to help raise funds for personal protection equipment (PPE) for staff at local hospitals – but they hope you can help raise even more.

Having set up a crowdfunding page, they set an initial target of £1,000 – boosted by a donation of £500 from the college.

They have now surpassed the target but are carrying on to help meet the shortfall in PPE and also enable them to purchase specialist equipment.

The Trust covers Basildon and Thurrock Hospitals as well as those in Southend, Chelmsford, Braintree and Maldon.

USP College has also donated thousands of pounds worth of PPE equipment, which would have otherwise been used in science lessons, to an NHS Clinic. The College also donated all leftover food in the restaurant of Palmer's campus to Thurrock Foodbank.

Sarah Maguire, Student Engagement Officer from USP College said: "We chose the Mid and South Essex Hospitals NHS Trust because we wanted the money donated to go to local hospitals, the ones that our own family and friends may find themselves in, so that we can help the local communities of our staff and students".

Principal & CEO Dan Pearson added: "We are very proud to be supporting our local NHS hospitals, and as a large organisation in Essex we want the best for our community. We felt it was our duty to do what we can to help, and we hope our donations show the value we hold for our NHS".

The JustGiving page will be live until the end of half term on 17 April, when the College will hand over the donations to the Mid Essex Hospitals NHS Trust.

You can still make a donation by visiting the fundraising page.