Yorkshire University donates medical supplies and food to NHS

Items provided by the university include surgical masks, waste disposal bags, cable ties, clinical waste disposal bags, sharp disposal boxes, disposable gloves and sterile needles.

The donations come after the NHS has struck a deal with private hospitals to acquire thousands of extra beds, ventilators and medical staff to fight the coronavirus outbreak.

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The collection was initiated by Andy Langley, an archaeology PhD student on behalf of his department, alongside environment and geography, biology, chemistry, physics and electronic engineering departments.

Professor Nicky Milner, head of the department of archaeology, urged the public to support the NHS during the unprecedented challenge of the coronavirus outbreak.

“We should all be doing everything we can to help support our NHS right now,” she said.

“I'm so pleased that departments across the university have been able to provide important resources for the NHS at this difficult time.

“Thanks to a brilliant team of technicians and students we have been able to gather items together very quickly and get them to where they need to be."

Food from the University of York catering outlets was also collected and given to the hospital.

Professor Duncan Bruce, head of the department of chemistry, added: “It has been fantastic to be able to help out.

"This shows what can be done when people are prepared to pull together - supporting the NHS and all those charged with caring for us is so important."