Milton Keynes University Hospital receives huge cash boost from M&S to help patients stay connected with loved ones

M&S stores across Milton Keynes have been raising funds for NHS Charities Together over the last few months and customers have already raised more than £70,000.

All money raised for NHS Charities Together goes towards helping communities, and Milton Milton Keynes Hospital Charity is one of a number of recipients of the latest donation.

The vital funds have supported the Foundation Trust in buying additional mobile phones and tablets to ensure patients and their families could remain connected during their hospital stays.

M&S’s partnership with NHS Charities Together, has so far raised more than £8 million across the UK for NHS good causes.

Laura Arnold, store manager at M&S Milton Keynes, said: “Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust plays an essential role supporting the local community and we can’t thank them enough for their incredible efforts over the past few months. We’re thrilled to share the donations raised so far from stores across the region and look forward to raising more funds with our customers’ support.”

Naomi Avery, senior sister on the trauma and orthopaedic emergency surgery ward at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “When in hospital, it can be incredibly important for patients to see loved ones, and at the start of lockdown, visiting was stopped immediately. The impact of patients not being able to connect with their families was really significant.

“In the hospital we rolled out the use of the Nye app across wards, which had previously only been used in ITU, allowing us to create ‘virtual visiting’ and put smiles on patients faces as they spoke with their loved ones.

“The funds from NHS Charities Together, businesses and the local community, have enabled the purchase of additional devices, which will be of benefit to our patients, now and in the future. Being able to provide this additional care and support to those in our care has made a huge difference to the team here, and we’re very grateful for all the support we’ve received to make this possible.”