Thank you with all our hearts - that's the message from this grateful hospital team treating Hartlepool coronavirus patients

Regulations mean that any patient with COVID-19 can’t have visitors.

It makes it a very challenging and difficult time for families from the Hartlepool and North Tees area who have loved ones in hospital.

But that’s when a nurse came up with a brilliant idea.

Charlotte Ledger, a critical care nurse at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, had a plan to create knitted love-hearts for the relatives of patients.

She issued a plea on her social media for people to get involved – and the team in intensive care at the University Hospital of North Tees were amazed at the huge response!

Acting clinical co-ordinator in critical care, Tracey Oldfield, said: “Charlotte’s plea went viral and it received over 3,200 shares across the region. Kind and generous crafty heart-makers have been very busy.

“Lovingly made hearts have begun to flood in ready for the staff in the unit to give to their patients and relatives.

“Thank you so much to the public for their support, we really appreciate everything people are doing to support us and the NHS at this time."

The team are also creating personalised cards which will be sent to patients’ loved ones to offer their support.

Tracey added: “Sadly patients are not allowed visitors during the outbreak. So the aim of the hearts is to help families feel connected to their loved ones in a small way by both the patient and family member having a heart with them.”

Do you know of someone who has gone to great lengths to do an act of kindness and help others affected by the coronavirus. Tell us more by emailing [email protected] or visiting the Hartlepool Mail Facebook page.

The campaign is not the only one which the Trust has launched to highlight the coronavirus.

Just last week, Trust chiefs launched an emotional campaign encouraging people across to keep their staff safe.

The aim was to get people sticking to the social-distancing restrictions in place as the country continues to battle the coronavirus.

To find out the latest coronavirus updates and case numbers, visit the Hartlepool Mail website.

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