NEWSQUEST'S Support Our Guardian Angels campaign, set up to raise funds for NHS staff on the frontline, has hit its target - just a week after it was set up.

Titles up and down the country united to raise money for the Association of NHS Charities to give to the doctors, nurses, ambulance staff and everyone at the NHS who are putting themselves at risk to keep us safe at this unprecedented time.

The initial target of £5,000 has already been smashed - with the total standing at £6,396 at the time of writing.

The money raised will be used for well-being packs/gifts for staff and volunteers on wards/departments, the cost of travel, parking, accommodation for NHS staff and volunteers, other items as requested by NHS Charities that enhance the well-being of NHS staff and volunteers caring for COVID-19 patients, and much more.

In addition to this, the Basingstoke Gazette and Andover Advertiser set up its own fundraising campaign for the staff at the towns' two hospitals, which has so far raised over £1,600 on its own.

It comes as staff at the Gazette and Advertiser shared their #ThankYouNHS messages as the pandemic continues.

Editor Katie French said that she was thankful after an experience where her sister caught sepsis whilst giving birth.

"It was really terrifying for her, for all of us as a family. I will never forget my mum calling me just after I finished work saying 'Laura has gone into labour and we are really worried about her'.

"But luckily, thanks to the amazing staff at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon, Laura was totally fine and a couple of days later she was able to go home with her newborn baby.

"It really thanks to the amazing NHS for moments like that. It really hammered it home to me how important it is that we recognise how lucky we are to live in a country where we have access to that level of healthcare, and it really isn't something we should take for granted."

Additionally, reporter Ryan Evans shared his story of how the NHS has helped him in the past.

In 2007, he was hospitalised after a severe asthma attack and in 2012, Ryan says that the staff at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro saved his leg from needing to be amputated after suffering a double fracture whilst playing football.

"I am really thankful for the NHS for everything they have done for me in the past," he said. "Being in hospital multiple times, with asthmas, breaking my leg whilst I was at school and ongoing support with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

"At this really tough time for the health service I am hopeful that the whole country will get behind them and support them as they run towards danger whilst we stay at home. That is the best way we can help them."

Meanwhile, reporter Bethany Papworth added her own message of thanks for the NHS.

"When I was just two years old, I was playing with my sister in the paddling pool and we both touched a plant. A combination of the sunlight and the water meant our arms started to bubble.

"We were screaming in pain. Our parents saw us outside and they rushed us to hospital. The NHS staff were amazing and they really helped us.

"The bubbles went away in two days, and this is why I would like to say a huge thank you to the NHS for all that they have done."

And it's not just the team that have got involved.

Councillor Ken Rhatigan, leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, said: "I just want to express my thanks and gratitude to all NHS staff for all that they are doing and work colleagues making sure that they are safe at this time of national crisis, making the coronavirus a thing that we can all get through together."

Cllr Simon Bound, deputy leader of the borough council, added: "I'd like to thank the NHS because every single member of my family has had a near-death experience, whether it be heart attacks, cancer incidents or road traffic accidents. I'd like to thank every single person in the NHS."

Kevin White, director of Basingstoke Town Community Football Club, said: "I just wanted to say how much I'm getting behind the Basingstoke Gazette's Thank You NHS campaign. For me personally they do a massive job. They've helped the club out with injuries for many years.

"I'm as guilty as most people for taking NHS staff for granted, but believe me as someone who has lived overseas and had to take out private healthcare, what we get in our NHS staff is massively undervalued."

You can donate to Newsquest's fundraising campaign by going to https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-our-nhs-guardian-angels, whilst you can also donate to the Gazette and Advertiser's campaign at https://uk.gofundme.com/f/support-our-guardian-angels.

We want to hear your #ThankYouNHS messages! Tweet them to us @BasGazette and @AndoverAd, tagging #ThankYouNHS, send them to us on Facebook or email them to newsdesk@basingstokegazette.co.uk or newsdesk@andoveradvertiser.co.uk. A selection could appear on our websites or in our papers in the coming weeks.