A WOMAN from Mortimer, known as ‘Sparkle Lauren’, has been collecting and distributing donations for the NHS across the region.

She started donating to the intensive care unit at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, a unit which once saved her life.

Local companies have also made donations, including Wakefield Park, who have given away shower gel, shampoo and conditioner.

Lauren said that the biggest thank you must go to the community where people have made up the bulk of the donations for distribution.

She said: “Reading acute medical unit, ICU and community district nurses are now struggling and desperately need local support to provide a refuelling station.

“They need food and drinks to “grab and go”.

“The NHS ‘Front Line’ needs our support now, as much for morale as for their nutrition and ongoing strength.

“A nurse told us “we feel anxious, we feel fear and we keep going because we love our job and feel a huge responsibility to continue to give the best care we possibly can to all our house bound vulnerable patients.

“I have received the very best of care from RBH nurses and owe it to them now to support their fight against coronavirus by at least ensuring they get nutrition while constantly on the go. All of us owe them an enormous debt of gratitude.”

Sparkles Facebook post read: “Been doing donations this morning, donated PPE, 70 visors, 500 aprons, 15 boxes of gloves and 50 pairs of goggles who were donated from Porsche to the amazing Duchess of Kent Hospice.

“I’ve donated to the amazing A&E staff who were in need of PPE, shoe protectors, gloves and 200 aprons.”

There is also a ‘GoFundMe’ page for the ICU/AMU/Community district nurses: www.gofundme.com/f/donations-to-rbh-accute-medical-unit.