Over £10k raised to buy drinks for Manchester hospital staff

23-May-2017 - Last updated on 24-May-2017 at 09:02 GMT

A crowdfunding page has raised over £10,000 to cover the bar tab for staff working at a Manchester hospital treating victims of Monday’s terrorist attack.

The campaign began with a £1,000 target but quickly exceeded its goal to put thousands behind the bar at the Turing Tap pub, which is adjacent to Manchester Royal Infirmary.

The page was set up by Ed Hall, a volunteer for a lifeboat crew in London, who said he was ‘speechless’ at the response.

“We have raised ten thousand pounds to buy a drink for the wonderful men and women who are working so hard to help those affected by the terrible events in Manchester,” Hall wrote on the crowdfunding page.

“Nothing we've done today will fix the damage, or lessen the pain of those directly affected, but emergency service and hospital workers should know that if we were there now, we would buy them a drink. Of course we would. Who wouldn't? Thank you.”

The Turing Tap, which is owned by the Stonegate Pub Company, has also promised to provide free food for hospital staff.

“We thank our emergency services for the huge efforts following the tragic events last night," said Zoe O'Sullivan from Stonegate. "Honouring staff from Manchester Royal Infirmary is a great tribute but knowing how many more NHS staff we can now thank is incredible."

The JustGiving page is still accepting donations here.