As a teacher who has lived, worked and reaped the wide-ranging benefits of living in the Tooting area for much of my adult life, I felt some urgency to try and co-ordinate additional support for the NHS staff at our local hospital, St Georges, through their St George’s Coronavirus Thank You Appeal.  There are already some inspiring national and local initiatives, as well as ongoing charity work, taking place to support our community, but I wanted to help co-ordinate a contribution for those who are working so hard for us on the frontline, in circumstances that they cannot have envisaged or anticipated, from those of us who have gained so much from our wonderful local hospital.  As you will be aware, their dedication to our health and wellbeing continues, despite cuts to the health service and resulting challenges. 

I thought the name, George’s Babies would fit the bill, as I know many of you will have had children or been born there yourselves.  We all probably know someone who works at the hospital, or we have had treatments and operations, or know someone who has. Any money raised through this appeal will go towards immediate and long term support of staff, including   ‘accommodation and transport for key staff...equipment and supplies, plus fund mental health support and welfare initiatives now and over the coming weeks and months’.

As teachers, neighbours and friends our network is potentially a large and supportive one, so please pass this message or link on to anyone else who you think would like to contribute, and give what you can, to support our healthcare workers, at this critical time.

With thanks, Sarah Guest