Southsea man raises cash for Queen Alexandra Hospital staff with homemade bird boxes
A LOCKDOWN hobby has turned into a fundraiser to treat NHS staff at the city’s hospital fighting coronavirus.
Ian Hill, from Southsea, has been making bird boxes in lockdown for friends and family and, with wife Thelma Turner-Hill, decided to sell them for £10 to raise cash for the Portsmouth Hospitals Thank You Appeal.
The appeal, set up by The News, has raised more than £42,500 and has been used to purchase boost boxes, containing refreshments and toiletries, and a well-being room with massage chairs and refreshments for staff.
Ian’s wife Thelma said: ‘He loves making the birdboxes and in lockdown was making them for family and friends. Then we started selling them for £10 and now he has made £200.
‘We wanted to give the money to the appeal as it goes straight to our local staff who are working so hard at the moment.’
The pair have been offered the chance to sell more birdhouses at Portsmouth Fruit and Veg shop.
Thelma added: ‘Andrew the owner of Portsmouth Fruit and Veg was delivering some groceries to us and saw the bird boxes in the garden that we were selling and he offered to put some in his shop when he is fully open and wouldn’t take a profit so all the money can go to QA.’
To donate to the Thank You Appeal visit justgiving.com/campaign/QAhospitalheroes