A COMMUNITY club is aiming to "save our heroes" by raising up to £50,000 for the NHS.

The Pakistan Club - a non-religious and non-political organisation based in Manningham Lane - set up a gofundme page on Monday, March 30, in response to the cry for personal protective equipment (PPE) to be delivered to staff and hospitals in need.

Demand for PPE has risen since the coronavirus outbreak.

The Government has tried to resolve the situation over the past week or so.

But The Pakistan Club's President, Basharat Ali, said: "The perception is that the supply is there, and it is getting to the doctors. But the reality is otherwise."

The gofundme page, titled "Save Our Heroes: Help the NHS", has seen £3,660 raised at the time of writing from 75 separate donations.

The aim is to get to a five-figure total of £50,000.

It will be used to provide adequate PPE for doctors and local hospitals (including masks, goggles, gowns and gloves) and to source and buy testing kits,

Part of the motivation behind setting up the campaign is to ensure no more doctors die and that staff are able to avoid using "completely useless" equipment, according to Mr Ali.

He said: "Sadly, many more doctors, nurses and healthcare workers will die in our country.

"This will be partly because there is no adequate personal protection equipment or sufficient testing of frontline workers in our NHS.

"It is sadly evident that our NHS workers have resorted to using makeshift and inadequate protective gear.

"As a senior doctor working in a West Midlands hospital explains: ‘we have cleaners, healthcare assistants, nurses and they’re just using aprons that you use to serve lunches and dinners because we have run out of protective gowns’.

"The lack of PPE is causing doctors on the front line who are experiencing shortages to become ‘anxious over the adequacy of the equipment’ says the British Medical Council.

"As a society we need to protect our NHS workers so they can protect us.

"You wouldn’t send firemen into a burning fire without proper protection, so why are we sending our NHS workers into work without protection and testing?

"Our amazing NHS staff and volunteers are working tirelessly to care for COVID-19 patients.

"And we want them to know the country has also got their back.

"We are so proud and in awe of NHS staff and volunteers as they work tirelessly to save lives.

"This means staying away from their homes and families, working day and night, to treat as many people as possible in need of care.

"We, the nation, can help. Let’s show our gratitude and respect for the frontline NHS, and together beat this virus.”

The campaign has been backed by Dr Amir Khan, a well-known GP in Bradford, who often appears on TV.

Dr Khan said in a video supporting the fundraising: "Now, we know we're in the middle of a worldwide pandemic, with the coronavirus, and one of the issues that keeps coming up for healthcare workers, who are looking after patients and risking their lives, is lack of adequate personal protective equipment, or PPE.

"We hear about it all the time from doctors on the frontline and I've seen it firsthand as well.

"The Pakistan Club is running a campaign on their gofundme website to raise money to buy PPE and donate it to local hospitals and clinicians.

"So, if you can help, donate whatever you can, spread the word - it would be really appreciated, thank you."

If you would like more information and want to help out and donate, visit: uk.gofundme.com/f/help-doctors-save-us-fundraiser-for-ppe