Higham man sets up fundraiser and creates hampers for local NHS isolation wards

The initial target for the fundraiser was £100, but it has already reached more than £600
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A man, whose girlfriend works at Northampton General Hospital, has taken it upon himself to raise money for the coronavirus wards.

Alex Williams, who lives in Higham Ferrers, set up an online fundraiser in the hope that money raised could go towards buying iPads for isolated patients, as well as creating hampers to give to staff who work there.

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The 23-year-old came up with the idea of raising money for the hospital where his girlfriend works when he was speaking to friends about the ‘clap for carers’ last week.

Alex has already raised several hundred pounds for Northampton General Hospital as well as creating hampers to donate to the staff.Alex has already raised several hundred pounds for Northampton General Hospital as well as creating hampers to donate to the staff.
Alex has already raised several hundred pounds for Northampton General Hospital as well as creating hampers to donate to the staff.

Alex said: “I asked last week if everyone was clapping for the NHS and one of my friends replied and said ‘why don’t you just donate?’

“And I thought why not do both.

“My other half works on one of the coronavirus wards at Northampton General Hospital.

“I can’t see her at the moment because it’s not worth the risk, but I thought I wanted to help her while not being with her.”

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Alex set up a Facebook fundraiser five days ago with a clear goal to help the staff and patients on the isolation wards.

He added: “They’re low on equipment and isolated patients can’t see their families so need iPads to speak to them.

“If I was in that position, there’s nothing I would want more than to speak to my family and they can’t do that.

“I want it to go directly to the coronavirus wards to buy an iPad so patients can call their families.

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“It’s all about raising spirits. I’ve had messages from in the ward saying they are so grateful for the support and that it’s the little things that are keeping them going.

“If everyone can do a little bit, it will go a long way.”

Since Alex set up the social media fundraiser, he has smashed his initial target of £100 and has made more than £600.

He added: “I shared it with friends and to local spotted pages, but I’ve had people donate who I have never spoken to and never heard of.

People from all around the county, but I also had one from up north.”

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To extend his generosity further Alex, who works as a sports coach in schools, has also created food and drink hampers to send to the staff at Northampton General Hospital.

“I bought most of the hamper stuff myself. I used the money I would’ve spent on petrol as I’m not really working much or going anywhere,” Alex continued.

“Local businesses donated to the hampers too and we had some caffeine chewing gum donated to help nurses get through their night shifts.”

To donate to Alex’s fundraiser, visit the Facebook page he has set up.A message from the Editor:

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