Banbury hospital and 999-staff turn out in force to clap for our carers last Thursday

Horton staff take a few minutes to join the country's applause to show our gratitude for our carers

The charity's staff were there in the courtyard outside A&E as witnesses to the area's love for its general hospital.

Douglas Graham, CEO of the Horton General Hospital Charity, part of Oxford Hospitals Charity, said: "It was such a privilege to be at the Horton for the clap for carers.

"We were standing in front of the Emergency Department and as 8pm approached nurses, porters and staff from across the hospital came out for a few minutes to take part. We could also see some staff showing support at the windows on first floor wards.

Horton General Hospital Charity CEO Douglas Graham leads the clapping last Thursday

"When the clapping started you could feel the wash of emotion and a sense of unity as well as relief from some of the day’s tension.

"It is very clear how much the support from the local public means to staff at the Horton - and at the charity we are also seeing first-hand how the generosity of the local community and businesses makes a difference."

The Horton General Hospital Charity is working closely with the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust to coordinate support across the hospital - providing regular meals, snacks and care packs for staff who are valiantly working long shifts, as well as those having to stay nearby in hotel accommodation.

Some of the meals come from the national ‘Salute the NHS’ scheme. The Horton was the third hospital in the UK to benefit from this, alongside the John Radcliffe and Great Ormond Street.

Horton staff and emergency services workers are pictured during Thursday's clapathon outside A&E

The charity is also making staff rest areas more comfortable by providing extra furniture and kitchen equipment.

Mr Graham said: "We are so inspired by the teams across the Horton that we speak to and we know that everyone is playing their part during this difficult time and that the local community is with them in spirit and cheering them on.

"We are also incredibly grateful to all those who have donated or fundraised for our appeal and also the local businesses who have shown their support. We do continue to ask people to link in with us as it means we can carefully coordinate our support and avoid members of the public coming to the Horton unnecessarily."

The charity can be contacted via [email protected] by phone on 01865 743 444, via its website here or charity Facebook page here. www.facebook.com/hortoncharity