AIREDALE Hospital is inviting people to “show their love” for staff on the frontline of the battle against coronavirus.

The Steeton hospital has launched a Care for Airedale campaign, following what has already been a massive outpouring of support from the community.

As part of the initiative, funds will be raised for items ‘above and beyond’ what the NHS would normally provide – such as hand creams, extra drinks, snacks and care packs, including toiletries.

Jodie Hearnshaw, fundraising manager at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, says the campaign will build on the “overwhelming” backing demonstrated by the public since the crisis began.

She said: “Since the outbreak of COVID-19 we have been absolutely overwhelmed and inundated with offers of help and support for our amazing staff.

“We’ve already had so many deliveries of food and treats from local businesses and our staff are incredibly grateful.

“What we want to do now is give people a simple way to help if they wish to. We all know that everyone is going to need our staff during these extraordinary times as they work tirelessly to care for loved ones in our communities. Please support us if you can.”

A campaign Just Giving page has been set-up at justgiving.com/campaign/careforairedale, where people can donate.

The trust says it will “pay the kindness forward” to communities by supporting foodbanks, ‘virtual visiting’ and producing care packs for patients whose families cannot visit them.

Any funds remaining once the pandemic is over will continue to be used to support the trust.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, many community figures and members of the public have paid glowing tribute to hospital staff and workers across the NHS for their efforts to help people affected by coronavirus.

Last Thursday night, thousands of people throughout the district joined others nationwide in a Clap for Carers initiative to show gratitude and support to health and emergency workers – from doctors, nurses and GPs to pharmacists and ambulance crews.

People applauded outside or through open windows at 8pm in a mass ‘thank you’.

Bradford Council launched an event on its Facebook page as part of the venture and buildings including City Hall were lit-up in blue to show solidarity.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, executive member for healthy people and places, said: “Bradford district has a tremendous amount of community spirit and we know it is hard to be able to continue that sense of community when we are all keeping our distance and following the ‘stay at home’ messages. The Clap for Carers was something that we could all join in with regardless of where we live. This was our way of showing our support for dedicated NHS workers.”