The Madani Institute and the people of Preston are helping donate items to help NHS critical care staff during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Preston mosque has joined forces with Masjid-e-Raza in Deepdale, and Masjid-e-Asqa in Fishwick to bring as many supplies as they can to help staff in cricital care units.

The institute are asking for donations of toiletries, easy meals and refreshments to help staff get through tougher times.

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Items suggested including deodorant, toilet paper, cereal bars, drinks, crisps and other items.

The mosques are also asking for donations, to help people self isolating.

A spokesperson from the Madani Institute Preston said, “In this moment in time our whole nation is thinking about the NHS staff.

“We wanted to do our bit, so sent messages out via social media to members of our mosques and community.

“We are planning to continue with the support as much as we can in the coming weeks and months.

“A massive shout out to all those who have supported this venture and hope they can continue to be our means of putting a little smile on the NHS staff while they are going through extremely difficult challenges.

Many NHS workers are hit with empty shelves when they go to shop, but many supermarkets are now offering time for just NHS staff to shop to ensure they can get what they need.

A video went viral last week of an NHS employee who was unable to purchase much of her shopping due to panic buyers at supermarkets who are clearing the shelves of toilet rolls, pasta, and hand wash.

A spokesperson from Al Aqsa Mosque Preston said “We are already involved in taking donations and supplies for the vulnerable and elderly in our community.

“However in this moment in time our whole nation is thinking about the NHS staff.

 “The response has been amazing, as had been in the Deepdale area.

“The last thing we want is for our doctors and nurses to work relentless shifts only to find they are with out basic essential needs.”

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The appeal has received a great response from the public with many boxes of supplies having been donated to the units already, with more donations planned.

The mosques are planning to continue donating as long as is needed to help NHS staff through such a challenging time.