EXCLUSIVE: Residents raise more than £3,000 in just 11 hours for brave King’s College Hospital staff

Money is pouring in for one hospital’s courageous medics doing long shifts to try to battle the coronavirus – on the third anniversary of the day they had to cope with a terror attack.

A gofundme page created at 11am today has already raised more than £3,000 for staff at King’s College Hospital, Camberwell, with scores showing their appreciation of the sacrifices doctors and nurses are making.

The page, set up by Jill Orr, says: “We are looking to raise funds from our local community to show our support and care to the Kings College Hospital Healthcare heroes on the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis.

“It started with a simple idea; providing community funded support to healthcare workers in local communities.  Already off the ground in Sydney, Australia where a strong cup of coffee was the initial ask of local healthcare workers, we are now trying to mobilise the same community spirit and support for our South East London professionals during the COVID-19 crisis.

“This campaign is focused on stocking the Wellbeing Spaces in Denmark Hill and Princess Royal Kings for Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. After talking to the teams running the newly-launched wellness centres at Kings – there are 2 at the Denmark Hill site and 1 at the Princess Royal Hospital – they need fresh fruit and vegetables; hot food;  drinks;  toiletries and other self-care products.

“We are donating 100% of funds to deliver these items and services to the hospital workers and will be working with local partners and KCH to make this happen.

“Please note: We are not associated with these local providers or the Healthcare Industry – we are simply looking to mobilise our community to help in a small way and we are starting here… to follow along please visit: https://www.instagram.com/buythemacoffee_kch/

“Beyond fundraising, if you would like to get involved or want to start a ‘buy them a coffee’ initiative for your local hospital, please get in touch.”

Jill added later on today: “Thank you so much for your amazing and quick response. We are blown away by your kindness and the generous donations.

“We are very close to finalising the delivery of fruit to the wellness centres and will share information with you all when done. KCH have prioritised the support they need today but we expect this to change over time, so we will be sure to keep you posted on where your money is helping front line workers.

“Thanks also for your offers of help and for your great ideas. We are working through your emails and coordinating with Kings.”

Today is the third anniversary of when 52-year-old Khalid Masood, drove a car into pedestrians on the pavement, along the south side of Westminster Bridge and Bridge Street, injuring more than 50 people, four of them fatally – Clapham window cleaner Leslie Rhodes; administrator of DLD College in Lambeth, Ayshe Frade; US tourist Kurt Cochran, who shoved girlfriend Melissa Cochran out of the way of the car; and Hungarian tourist Andreea Cristea. He then stabbed to death Bexley PC Keith Palmer in front of the House of Commons.

To contribute, go to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/buy-them-a-coffee-kch?utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet

A similar appeal is already in place at St George’s Hospital, Tooting: http://londonnewsonline.co.uk/tooting-hospitals-locals-raise-tens-of-thousands-for-hard-pressed-staff/

Pictured: A visit from Prince Charles lifts morale at KCH two days after the 2017 Westminster Bridge Terror attack.