Shropshire Star

Supermarket shoppers in Oswestry can help provide extra comfort to hospital patients

A supermarket in Oswestry has set up a toiletry donation point to allow shoppers to support hospital patients during this difficult time.

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Oswald Ward patient Jodie Cox from Ketley, Telford, receiving some of the toiletries from Heather Thomas-Bache, League of Friends office manager and head of voluntary services; with Pip Page-Davies, staff nurse on Oswald Ward

Being in hospital can be extremely difficult for patients – this is currently made even harder with the ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

With this in mind, Morrisons in Oswestry has set up a toiletry donation point for inpatients at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital where supermarket shoppers can donate toiletries to help provide extra comfort for patients.

The local community has rallied behind the initiative, which is being supported at Shropshire’s specialist orthopaedic hospital by the League of Friends.

Victoria Sugden, charity director for the League of Friends, said: “We are so pleased to be working with our local Morrisons store to further support our patients.

Rachael Roberts and Kiley Waters, Morrisons Community Champions, with the toiletries donated by the public

“Usually family and friends visiting would be able to replenish their toiletry supply, especially our longer term patients, however due to the current restrictions in place this isn’t viable at the moment.

“None of this would be possible without the support of the local community so we’d like to say a big thank you for all their help and kindness with this initiative.”

The donations from shoppers for the Oswestry-based hospital are held centrally by the League of Friends in their main entrance shop.

Wards in the hospital can then contact the shop when their stock of toiletries needs replenishing.

Rachael Roberts, Morrisons community champion at the Oswestry store, said: “After seeing an appeal on social media that another hospital had put out for pyjamas, we contacted RJAH to see if there was something they needed help with.”

Kiley Waters, Morrisons community champion at the Oswestry store, said the supermarket is "really pleased" to be in a position to help out patients and would like to thank the community for their donations so far.

Richard Jones, Oswestry Morrisons store manager, said: “Rachael and Kiley have worked tirelessly to help and support the local community; they are always open to opportunity and a real credit to the store.”

Stacey Keegan, chief nurse and patient safety officer at RJAH, said: “It’s fantastic to see Morrisons and the local community supporting the comfort of our patients.

“The whole pandemic has been really difficult for so many people and I’d like to say on behalf of the trust that we are extremely grateful for all donations received.”

The donation point can be found next to the food bank donation cages at the back of the checkouts.