Newsquest, which owns over 160 local news brands across the UK, has launched a national campaign to raise money for NHS Charities Together and its urgent Covid-19 appeal.
Within the first 24 hours of launching, Newsquest’s Support Our Guardian Angels #ThankYouNHS fund raised more than £2,500.
The funds will be used to support frontline NHS staff and volunteers across 250 hospitals by providing wellness packages, food parcels and covering travel costs and accommodation.
Titles across the country have got behind the campaign with papers as far afield as the Falmouth Packet right up to the Greenock Telegraph in Inverclyde, Scotland, getting involved.
Katie French, editor of the Basingstoke Gazette, who is co-ordinating the campaign said: “It is a privilege to be able to raise money for the incredible staff of the NHS who are the backbone of our efforts to fight Covid-19.
“Local news publishers are much more than just delivers of news but hubs of the community and this has never felt more keenly than during a time of uncertainty. The feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Toby Granville, Editorial Director at Newsquest said: “I am delighted that we are in some small part able to give something back to show our appreciation for the NHS workers and volunteers.
“We hope our army of readers will use this campaign to show their gratitude for those who are putting themselves in harms way every day but saving many lives by doing so.”
Individual titles are also fundraising for local initiatives under the same umbrella campaign. The Oxford Mail is urging readers to raise money towards a children’s hospital while the Dorset Echo is looking to generate cash for Dorset Hospitals.
Titles onboard so far are as follows:
- Andover Advertiser
- Basildon Echo
- Basingstoke Gazette
- Bradford Telegraph & Argus
- Bucks Free Press
- Clyde & Forth Press
- Colchester Gazette
- Dorset Echo
- Falmouth Packet
- Greenock Telegraph
- Hereford Times
- Isle of White County Press
- Ludlow and Tenbury Wells Advertiser
- Northern Echo
- Oxford Mail
- Reading Chronicle
- Romsey Advertiser
- Salisbury Journal
- Somerset County Gazette
- Southampton Daily Echo
- Swindon Advertiser
- The Argus
- The Impartial Reporter
- The Leader
- Thurrock Gazette
