Fylde coast campaigners raising funds for protective equipment for health staff

Fundraisers Anthony Taylor-Royston, Doug Smith and Chris Allen, who all live in the Over Wyre area,

have raised the money via an online petition which has a target of £6,286.

By this morning, the campaign had raised an impressive £5,405 for vital PPE - personal protective equipment.

So far the group has managed to acquire 104 boxes of latex gloves, and some of these have already been distributed to staff at Trinity Hospice and Brian House and others are set to go to the Royal Lancaster Infirmiary.

With the remainder of the money, the lads say the protective gloves can go anywhere in Blackpool and the surrounding area where NHS staff or other health or care workers need them to stay safe.

Anthony, 33, of Sandicroft Place, Preesall, said: “We just wanted to try and make sure people who are helping others, like frontline NHS staff or other health workers, have the equipment they need to stay safe.

“We’ve all heard about doctors and nurses getting ill with the virus so we want to do what we can.

“So far the response has been brilliant, people have been very generous.

“The Seven Stars pub in Stalmine donated £1,000.

“We are hoping that together we can raise funds to top up stocks to help during these uncertain times.

“We have been contacting numerous suppliers to find stock that we can purchase and we have managed to do well so far.”

To help the campaign and make a donation, visit the fundraising page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/ppe-for-lancaster-nhs