Wrexham NHS staff reveal how Captain Sir Tom Moore’s legacy is helping patients

Health workers have revealed how the phenomenal fundraising efforts of Captain Sir Tom Moore are benefiting patients in North Wales.

The 100-year-old veteran died earlier this month after raising around £33 million for NHS charities by walking laps of his garden.

The money has funded a wide range of projects to improve support for patients right across the UK.

In North Wales, the Awyr Las charity has so far received £214,500 via NHS Charities Together, with a further £717,000 expected over the next six months.

The first tranche of funding has already made an impact, enabling the creation of a staff support service and for digital devices to bought so patients can speak to their loved ones virtually.

It is also being used to fund a bereavement support service and train a specialist junior doctor to investigate ways of treating people with the coronavirus.

Kate Sinclair, staff nurse at Wrexham Maelor Hospital’s intensive care unit, said: “The funding has made all the difference to so many patients and staff.

“It has been so traumatic seeing patients isolated from loved ones during the pandemic.

“We were able to fund devices that enabled patients to see their loved ones, tragically sometimes to say goodbye to them, which made all the difference to them at that difficult moment.

“The support for staff has also boosted morale and enabled us to carry on in the most challenging working circumstances we have ever experienced.

“It means a lot to know that the nation is behind us.”

Dr Dan Menzies, consultant chest physician at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan, said: “We are incredibly indebted to Captain Sir Tom Moore for what he has done and enabled others to do. We have spent wisely.

“Doctors and nurses have been stretched to breaking point. It’s been overwhelming in some regards.

“The wellbeing and support service for staff has enabled clinicians to be looked after and we have all benefited from that.”