NHS Charities Together has announced that it will distribute £65m via two new rounds of grants.
This comprises £30m for community partnership grants and £35m for recovery grants.
Recovery grants will aim to tackle the longer term effects of Covid-19 and support hospitals in preparedness for any second wave. Community partnership grants aim to address the impact of the pandemic on settings like hospices.
The organisation launched the appeal to support NHS staff and volunteers during the pandemic on 23 March. The initial target of £100m was hit in early May, with Colonel Tom’s £33m fundraising effort making a key contribution.
NHS Charities Together includes more than 230 NHS charities across the UK. It is inviting its members to apply for funding from its Covid-19 Appeal from 1 September.
'We are in uncharted territory with this crisis'
Ellie Orton, chief executive of NHS Charities Together, said the funding is being released at a time when there is still much uncertainty.
“We are in uncharted territory with this crisis and we don’t know how long it will go on for or what direction it will take," she said. “We know we need to focus on the ongoing and long-term impact of Covid-19.
“We may be easing out of lockdown but the devastating effects on our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing are still very much with us.”
So far, grants have funded food and drink, somewhere comfortable to take a break during long shifts, “wobble” rooms and specialised psychological support for staff and patients struggling with stress, trauma and separation from their loved ones, and supplying IT equipment so people can stay in touch with family and friends.
Colonel Tom raised more than £30m for the charity. Other fundraisers include the Run For Heroes campaign, which has raised £5.5m through the “Run 5k, Donate £5m, Nominate 5” slogan and several fundraisers who followed Colonel Tom’s example.
Ninety-year-old Margaret Payne has so far raised more than £400,000 by climbing the equivalent of Suilven mountain in Scotland on her home’s stairs.
