IT IS TIME FOR ALL OF US TO STEP UP AND HELP OUR HARD-WORKING NHS STAFF.

The other Thursday an exhausted critical care nurse from West Yorkshire posted a video clip which went viral. Having just finished an extremely long shift, she went to buy fruit and vegetables, only to find that the shelves had been stripped bare.

Supermarkets shelves are being cleared by hoarders, with no thought given to NHS staff, who are working incredibly long hours, to look after patients, at no small risk to themselves. Then they cannot find the fruit and vegetables they need to feed themselves and their families.

I want to raise at least £20,000 to supply at least 800 boxes of fresh fruit & vegetables, including milk and eggs when available, to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, for the NHS workers. I have been working with the Royal Berks Charity and Dudmans of Berkshire who will supply and deliver the boxes to the hospital.

Established in 1871, Dudmans of Berkshire usually deliver fresh fruit and vegetables to restaurants, schools, catering firms and hotels in Reading and the surrounding area. As most of these have had to close, they are currently delivering fresh fruit and vegetable boxes to the elderly, vulnerable and self-isolating in our community.

Personally, due to arthritis and chronic psoriasis, I have been a regular visitor to a number of different departments at the Royal Berkshire Hospital for over 30 years. I have always found the Nurses and Doctors to be extremely kind, friendly and helpful, despite what they have to put up with from some people. It would be good to be able to do something for them for a change.

Each donation of £25.00, means we can supply a free box of fresh fruit and vegetables, including eggs and milk when available, to an NHS worker. So please give generously.