Scots actor James McAvoy has backed a campaign to get more personal protection equipment for NHS staff.
Drumchapel-born McAvoy, took to Instagram to ask his followers to make a small donation to Masks for NHS Heroes in order to help them save lives amid the coronavirus crisis.
James donated £275,000 meaning the campaign has now raised more than £623,000, smashing the original target of £200,000.
Masks for NHS Heroes aims to bring in additional PPE as there is a major shortage which means doctors and nurses are having to order their own online.
So the 40-year-old X-men star made the online plea to try and raise some cash for the important cause.
(Image: Instagram/UGC)
He said: “Hi I’m James McAvoy, and im here to talk to you about an appeal called masks for heroes. We have all heard stories about doctors and nurses having to buy their own personal protection equipment from the internet or DIY stores and the products aren’t good enough and quite frankly neither is that situation.
“Not only does it put the doctors and nurses at the risk of contracting COVID-19 themselves but it puts them at high risk of passing it on to their patients or their patients families and giving them COVID-19.
“The situation is truly urgent and time is of the essence but there is a world wide shortage of PPE – personal protective equipment.
He added: “So what have masks for heroes done? They have found a way to get more personal protective equipment to the NHS frontline staff using international sellers using a verified CE and EN verified equipment and that’s why it’s important because it is the good stuff, it’s the stuff that actually works. that means masks, eye protection, gloves, surgical gowns, and they can get it all here by earth rate in one week.
“That means that money donated today will save lives it’s as simple as that. Now the government are trying but they are overwhelmed, and the NHS needs all the help they can get. So help us, help the government, to help the NHS save lives it is that simple.”
Masks4NHSHeroes was set up by group of doctors in hospitals and GPs who made it their mission to source PPE for those who need it most in our fight against Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Speaking on their crowdfunding page, they said: “Unfortunately current hospital supplies are not sufficient and while we are reassured the government is doing everything it can, healthcare workers on the frontline are risking themselves daily without adequate protection to care for sick patients. Healthcare workers on the frontline without PPE is the equivalent of going to war without armour and protection.
They added: “Surgical masks and simple aprons will not protect us or patients adequately. An example of a lack of PPE fighting COVID-19 on the NHS frontline. With Permission.)
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) involves face masks, visors, surgical gowns and gloves.
- Our group has procured details of a number of internationally reputable suppliers of PPE, including those cross referenced by the UK embassy.
- We are aiming to raise money to buy PPE directly from global supply chains and donate supplies directly to the NHS Hospitals in need.
- The PPE supplies we have arranged to air-freight to UK ASAP all have required CE Certificates and EN Registrations.
“All we ask is for your kind financial contribution, no matter how small, to go towards funding more PPE. To deal with this unprecedented global pandemic – the time to act is NOW to reduce harm to patients and staff on the frontline. PPE stops us spreading the virus to other patients, protecting non-COVID patients as well as NHS staff.
“It’s not just doctors and nurses – frontline staff include paramedics, porters, cleaning staff, healthcare assistants, catering staff providing meals for patients, physiotherapists and an army of NHS volunteers! They all need protection!”
You can make a donation here.
