Staff working to keep Slough and Ascot's hospitals going at full stretch during the COVID-19 crisis have been overwhelmed by donations of food and drink - as well as offers of free accommodation so they can stand in for colleagues self isolating at home.

Now a new COVID-19 appeal is being launched to enable the hospitals to react quickly to rapidly changing situations.

Donations to it have already enabled the charity to purchase 20 Android tablets to help patients hold voice and video calls with loved ones, following restrictions to visiting to slow the spread of the virus.

All money raised by the appeal will go directly to support the care of patients with Covid-19 or to support the wellbeing of the staff looking after them.

Andrew House, director of the Frimley Health Charity which oversees all fundraising for the trust that runs Wexham Park and Heatherwood hospitals in Slough and Ascot as well as Frimley Park Hospital, said: “Our doctors and nurses are working magnificently around the clock to care for patients from our region, and in turn our communities have shown how much they appreciate that effort.

"Thank you to everyone who has given a donation or sent a message of support.

“The situation at our hospitals is changing daily, and we believe that those who wish to contribute can do so most effectively by donating to our Covid-19 Appeal.

“Funds raised by this appeal will enable us to react quickly and ensure we can get the right resources to the right departments at the right time.”

In recent weeks its staff have received donations of food and drink, free or free accommodation to enable them to continue caring for patients when others at home are self-isolating, and a host of other offers from local businesses.

Local schoolchildren have designed and sent in their own ‘thank you’ cards, and the trust has even received offers to purchase specific items of equipment for its hospitals.

You can donate online at www.frimleyhealthcharity.org