A HOSPITAL has launched a desperate appeal for funding as staff prepare for a challenging winter.

Dorset County Hospital has launched a Christmas appeal to raise funds to support patient care and staff wellbeing over the winter.

Earlier this year, the hospital raised a staggering £112,000 through its Covid-19 appeal which funded initiatives to support staff working under the immense pressures of the first lockdown, including nutritious snacks and drinks to help boost the morale of staff on the frontline, providing blow-up mattresses or camp beds to enable staff to grab some much-needed sleep, and more tables and chairs outside for valuable breaks in the fresh air.

The Christmas appeal, however, will support all staff and patients, and hospital bosses are hoping that the local community will rally around them once again and donate whatever they can.

Simon Pearson, head of DCH charity, said: "Christmas is a time for caring and giving. With your support, DCH Charity's Christmas appeal will ensure the hospital charity can provide valuable funding to enhance patient care across DCH's specialist areas such as cancer care, elderly care, stroke, maternity and critical care, while our hard-working NHS staff also care for Covid patients.

"We will also fund further initiatives to support the wellbeing and resilience of DCH staff. We know these are challenging times for us all, so please support us in whatever way you can. This could be sending a donation or organising a virtual fundraising event.

Now more than ever your local NHS needs all our support. Through the power of giving you will be making a positive difference for patients."

Nick Johnson, deputy chief executive at DCH, said: "DCH's dedicated NHS staff face a very challenging winter, making sure patients in all our wards and specialist units across the hospital are looked after, while also caring for people who have coronavirus.

"Support from our community, especially at Christmas, is very much valued and will enable us to enhance the care we can provide and make a real difference to our staff and our patients."

For more information, phone 01305 253215 or visit the DCH Facebook and Twitter pages.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/DCHChristmasAppeal2020