By IW Observer.co.uk
Apprentices working at GKN Aerospace’s East Cowes site have walked and baked in support of the NHS, raising £4,565 for St Mary’s Hospital.
In addition to their aerospace training, GKN Aerospace apprentices are encouraged to undertake charity projects.
The latest intakes of apprentices went the extra mile, completing a sponsored walk, arranging a cake sale and holding a raffle to help redecorate and refurbish the relative’s room for the intensive care unit (ICU) at St Mary’s Hospital, over the coming months.
Kev Downer, apprenticeship manager, said: “We felt this would be a great opportunity to acknowledge all the hard work carried out by NHS staff during the Covid pandemic as well as enhancing the environment for families whilst waiting for news on their relatives.
“I would like thank all the apprentices for their hard work with this project and everybody who has contributed and supported them throughout”.
Becky Craig, ICU Sister at St Mary’s Hospital, said: “We are very thankful and grateful to the GKN Aerospace apprentices for choosing to fund-raise and support the ICU. With their help and support we will be able to improve our current relatives’ room and offer family and friends of critically-ill patients a calming and safe environment for them to take five minutes, relax and recharge in what is a very worrying and difficult time.
“We are also hoping to offer a comfortable bed for them to be able to stay near their loved one overnight, while being able to rest. The relatives’ room becomes an essential space for anyone who finds themselves being a loved one of a critically ill patient. This space will really make such a difference for our relatives.”
Press Release 
Isle of Wight Observer