THE public has raised an astonishing £300,000 for a fund helping NHS staff at St Mary’s.

Imperial Health Charity – which supports the Paddington hospital and others within its NHS trust – set up the coronavirus relief fund a little over a fortnight ago.

The vast majority of donations are from current or former patients, mostly between £5 and £100 a time.

It is part of a huge outpouring of support for all key workers in NHS hospitals who are risking their lives as death rate figures soar.

The total number of deaths of COVID-19 coronavirus patients recorded by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in the last month was 121 yesterday (Thursday). The overall hospital coronavirus deaths for London for the same period, since March 9, stand at 1,907.

Seth Thomas, in a post accompanying his donation, praised “St Mary’s amazing, caring A&E team”, adding: “A small gift back to them as they face the toughest of times. The whole community is behind them.”

There have been widespread concerns for hospital workers because of a shortage of personal protective equipment.

Many of the St Mary’s donors said they hoped their donations went towards personal “protective clothing and masks for health care staff on the front line of caring for COVID-19”.

Imperial Health Charity said: “Anything we raise over and above what might be needed in the current crisis will go towards helping our hospitals continue to give exceptional care in the future.

“Please give what you can to help our hospitals fight coronavirus and leave your own personal message of support for our incredible National Health Service staff, along with your details so we can thank you for your donation.

• To donate visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/help-our-nhs