It is a well-known fact that the United Kingdom has a free health service that serves the entire country, and yearly costs the UK government £152.9 billion. Over half of the budget is spent on hospitals and their upkeep, and the other two largest spenders are long-term treatment and family healthcare, which includes opticians, dentists and GPs.

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How has the Covid-19 crisis impacted the NHS?

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The Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic has certainly impacted the NHS greatly. With the government having to help businesses that are being affected, as well as the increased demand for healthcare, the NHS has been hit really hard. With the amount of money needed all over the country, it seems the NHS may only be able to help the people who need it most. The amazing work of NHS staff in this crisis has inspired many people to raise funds for NHS charities as a way of saying thank you.

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Who is fundraising for the NHS?

Tom Moore
There have been many people all over Great Britain who have been raising money for the NHS charities, but a few people have gone all out to help our health service. One is 100 year old, Captain Tom Moore, who has raised over £30 million by walking 100 laps of his garden. At first, his target was to raise £1000, but he ended up going so much further. In his honour, an RAF flypast was organised and a Great Western Railway (GWR) train was named after him. He has also received a promotion to the rank of Honorary Colonel.


Joe Wicks
Personal trainer turned celebrity fundraiser, Joe Wicks, has been keeping the nation moving every weekday morning with his high energy half-hour workouts. Live from his living room! So far, he has raised an astonishing £100,000 from his YouTube channel. Also, £16,000 more from t-shirt sales, which sold out in one day. All of the money is going to the NHS.


Olivia Strong
When Olivia Strong from Edinburgh was out for a run, she had this idea which she called Run for Heroes that has raised over £3 million for the NHS charities. Run for heroes is a social media campaign encouraging people to walk, run or cycle for five kilometres, then donate £5 to the NHS and ask 5 of their friends to do the same. The initial target was £1 million, but she is now aiming for £5 million.


Do you feel inspired by these stories? You do? During lockdown many of us have more time than usual, so why not think up some fundraising ideas of your own!