Extra time together during lockdown was spent wisely by one family who used it to create garden ornaments in aid of the NHS.

The Kleiner family of Nonington near Dover began crafting wind spinners to sell, with a portion donated to East Kent Hospitals Charity.

It was an extension to the family business and they now spend several hours a day together, working on their fundraising venture.

Dad Toby said: “As the COVID pandemic began, we kept thinking about how we could support NHS staff.

"Our family has four kids, and our eldest was born at the William Harvey Hospital, and we wanted to give something back to our local hospitals.

“From my role, machining the parts, to my eldest son’s part in assembling and packing the spinners, to our younger kids’ enthusiasm for colouring the thank-you pictures that we enclose with every order, the whole family has gotten involved. We are all really proud of our Support NHS spinners.”

Dee Neligan, Fundraising and Development Officer for East Kent Hospitals Charity said: “We’ve loved hearing about the Kleiner’s unique fundraising ideas, and are so grateful for their time and effort in creating these items.

“The funds raised will go towards our Helping Your Hospitals Appeal- supporting staff wellbeing during the pandemic.”

The Helping Your Hospitals Appeal total now stands at £90,000.

It has funded items such as single use resources for children’s wards and patients living with dementia, fridges to store cold drinks in for staff wearing PPE, radios for isolation wards, and drinks, healthy snacks and treats for ITU and theatres staff.

East Kent Hospitals Charity are now focussing on funding longer term measures for staff, such as wellbeing gardens across the acute sites, and refurbishments of staff shower facilities.

The Support NHS wind spinners are on sale now.

Find out more by clicking here.

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