AS concerns and debate continues nationwide about the state of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supplies for workers on the front line in the NHS, at grassroots level Thurrock residents, community groups and individuals – together with local hospital workers and carers – are making their own connection.

Though the official line coming out of Basildon and Thurrock Hospital is that there are no issues and the hospital is being fully supplied by the NHS, the reality appears to be different.

Staff at the hospital have been picture expressing their thanks for direct donations from the public, while local folk are coming together to do as much as they can.

A locally-based Facebook page has been set up to co-ordinate local contributions, while local businessmen Paul Lewis and Paul Grayer and others are co-co-ordinating and supplying equipment through local businesses.

Together with colleagues They have set a target to find 20,000 facemasks. Learn more here.

"Staff at the hospital have told us that they have been told to bring in their own protection – We just want to help as much as we can", says Paul.

And that help is being appreciated by the staff. Among many messages of gratitude, one worker, Connie Payne – who says some of her nursing colleagues have been taken ill with the virus - took to social media on behalf of her colleagues to say: "A massive thank from me and my colleagues for our protective clothing as we are not in bin bags anymore. We can't thank you guys enough for your kindness and donations."

Dozens of local people are making small contributions.Yvonne Donovan has found a ready market for the items she is making, which enable face masks to be worn more comfortably and she is making more after getting the thumbs up from local hospital staff. And Samantha Homer and other local knitters are making their version of the same thing – and others items for the hospital, particularly the maternity department.

On behalf of the stroke team at the hospital, Kelly Beauford has thanked local folk for their donations of supplies, saying: "Thank you all very much from The stroke team for your lovely and wonderful gifts, donations and treats, they are all greatly appreciated."

And fundraising for the local NHS goes on apace. One local youngster, Tom Ellis, has shaved his head and has already earned almost £300 through his JustGiving page.

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