A KIND woman is creating care packages for dedicated nurses fighting Covid-19 – after seeing first hand the situation with her friend working in intensive care.

Clare Mullins launched an online funding page to help pay for the special packs for the team at Basildon Hospital.

She has already collected almost £1,000 in just two days.

The 38-year-old was moved to act after hearing the experiences of pal Edel Biggs, 34, an outreach sister at the intensive care unit at Basildon Hospital.

She said: “I came up with the idea after hearing about how tough it is for staff fighting Covid on the frontline.

“In lockdown we started sending each other little presents and it really cheered us up and the idea grew from there.

“I know they are struggling as it’s just been terrible over Christmas and they’ve all been going through a really tough time.

“I am hoping to talk to small businesses to get different items and help out the firms too.”

Ms Mullins is calling on people to donate and she will buy and donate items such as bath bombs, face masks and candles.

She added: “I think if people in the Basildon community have the chance to contribute they may like to.”

Official figures show 573 people had died in Basildon Hospital as of 5pm on Sunday.

That was an increase of 24 compared to Friday, when there were 549.

It also comes as Lisa Ward, lead respiratory nurse at Southend Hospital, warned Southend Hospital is in a “very bad way” as it continues to deal with rising levels of Covid-19 patients.

She also urged people to stay at home and avoid buying alcohol or coffee from takeaway windows.

Fundraiser Ms Mullins added: “I check in with Edel most days to see how things are going and over the last month or so it has been obvious that each shift is becoming more difficult.

“She and her colleagues are working under such immense pressure and the devastation of losing patients to Covid-19 is a heartbreaking yet daily occurrence.”

She added: “We cannot even begin to imagine what these people are going through on a daily basis.”

To donate see www.uk.gofundme.com and search Clare Mullins.