Dozens of hospital staff will take two minutes out of their shifts tonight to thank people for their "fantastic support" amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Teams at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent and Canterbury Hospital and the QEQM Hospital in Margate will gather outside the main entrances at 8pm with thank you banners.

It will coincide with the weekly Clap for our Carers event, which sees hundreds of thousands of people applaud the efforts of key workers.

Some of the banners to be held by staff have been created by children being treated in the hospitals.

Chief operating officer at East Kent Hospitals Lee Martin said it was "hugely humbling" to see the nation unite to clap each Thursday evening.

"This week, we wanted to say thank you for that support and for the hundreds of donations we have received from groups and individuals across our communities," he said.

Among the donations sent to frontline staff across East Kent Hospitals are 7,500 chocolate Easter eggs - from Cadbury’s and Gems At Work - as well as from Slimming World and Barretts car dealership.

Ralph’s Pizza Margate donated pizza to staff at QEQM, while an Ashford singer raised money through an online concert and donated afternoon tea hampers to teams at the William Harvey Hospital.

Tassimo have donated coffee machines for staff and rest areas, while Dreamland are donating bottled drinks for staff.

Mr Martin added: "We have been overwhelmed with donations from people and we are grateful to everyone for thinking of us.

"But the best way you can support your local hospital is by staying home this bank holiday weekend, to slow the spread of the virus and to help save lives.

"I am proud of the way all our teams have responded to the coronavirus outbreak, whether by taking on different roles, volunteering to go back to clinical areas or working to support the Trust in reorganising services to help us care for even more patients.

"You can do your bit by following the advice, and together we will beat this virus."

If you would like to make a donation to support frontline staff, click here.

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