IN just a few weeks, coronavirus has brought the UK to its knees.

At Swindon’s Great Western Hospital, NHS bosses have reconfigured wards and ordered extra ventilators.

Doctors and nurses with poorly children at home have been left in the impossible position of having to stay near the hospital while they care for coronavirus patients.

Since the outbreak began, three people who tested positive for the virus have died under GWH’s roof.

As a town and a country, now more than ever we are reliant on our doctors and nurses in our NHS hospitals.

These guardians angels of the community are serving on the frontline under impossible pressure to save lives. While the majority of the population are confined to their homes, these heroes are forsaking their own health and wellbeing and putting people like you and I first.

As a community we want to say “thank you”.

The Adver is joining dozens of other newspapers owned by Newsquest to raise money for NHS Charities Together and their urgent Covid-19 appeal.

Donations will be used for well-being packs and gifts for staff, food deliveries and refreshments, covering the cost of travel and accommodation and other items which enhance the well-being of NHS staff and volunteers.

At this time of hardship, it is important for us, the community, to bring some joy and happiness to those who are giving us so much.

Nationally, we have seen community spirit thriving in these difficult times, with people supporting each other like never before.

We are asking our readers to extend this support to the heroes of the NHS, to let them know we care and are thankful for everything they are doing for us.

Please donate whatever you can, and let us give a collective, united message to our NHS workers of our huge appreciation for their efforts.

You can get involved and support our campaign by sharing our appeal and telling us why you are thankful for the NHS #ThankYouNHS on social media using the link: www.gofundme.com/f/support-our-nhs-guardian-angels.

Send us a picture of yourself holding up a piece of paper reading #ThankYouNHS and we'll look to publish it in the paper and online.

Already, youngsters have shown their appreciation for the NHS and 999 workers risking their lives in order to protect ours. You can see examples of their drawings here and on page three of today’s paper.

Now, let us show our NHS staff that we care, and that we are thankful for everything they are doing...

Want to join us in making a difference?

Newsquest Media Group has launched its Support Our Guardian Angels campaign to raise money for NHS staff on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic.

Local newspapers across the group are raising money for NHS Charities Together’s COVID-19 Urgent Appeal (Association of NHS Charities).

NHS staff and volunteers are working tirelessly to save lives and are putting their own safety at risk to treat as many people as possible in need of care.

We believe this is commendable and we want to support those workers by raising donations to pay for well-being packs, gifts for staff and volunteers and to cover the costs of travel.

Donations will be going directly to the Association of NHS Charities which supports 250 local hospitals around the country.

Funding will pay for:

Well-being packs/gifts for staff and volunteers on wards/departments (this could include food deliveries, high energy/protein bars/drinks, snacks, refreshments, wash kits, overnight stay kits.)

Cost of travel, parking, accommodation for NHS staff and volunteers Volunteer expenses

Other items as requested by NHS Charities that enhance the well-being of NHS staff and volunteers caring for COVID-19 patients.

This list is not exhaustive.

Help Newsquest support out guardian angels by making a donation today.

What is NHS Charities?

NHS Charities Together is an umbrella group of hospital charities. There are more than 250 NHS charities across the UK and most of them focus on helping our hospitals do more. Collectively these charities give £1 million every day to the NHS so that people can stay well for longer and get better faster. In recent years NHS charities have funded major capital projects, pioneering research and medical equipment at our hospitals, helping patients access the best possible care when they need it most.

To donate, visit: www.gofundme.com/f/support-our-nhs-guardian-angels