A NURSE has raised almost £60,000 to help ensure dying coronavirus patients get to speak to their families one last time.

Leana Harris, who has been working 13-hour shifts caring for Covid-19 patients, was left heartbroken at some of what she had witnessed while on the frontline – including many patients dying without loved ones around them.

Deciding to act, the Rossendale nurse posted an appeal on social media and was inundated with offers of help.

Soon Mrs Harris joined forces with the staff of Lancaster-based Simpson Millar Solicitors to launch the #staytogether campaign and in less than a week £30,000 was raised to buy iPads, so patients on wards could communicate with families at home.

Since then, Mrs Harris, who works at the Fairfield Hospital in Bury, has raised a further £28,000 online through a Just Giving page to fund the purchase of more iPads.

Ms Harris said: “The response has been overwhelming, but I am just one of many healthcare professionals on the frontline.

“There is a massive need for these iPads as I have been contacted by nurses and people from hospitals from all over the UK.

“I have seen first-hand the effect of having little or no contact with friends and family has on patients. Due to infection control these are very restricted areas and the last thing patients think of when they come in very poorly is to bring with them iPads or tablets and many don’t have them anyway.

“So I wanted to find a way to get them in contact fast and so I thought video calls was the answer. It’s like a virtual hug for the patient and the family and gives them a real boost.”

The idea of raising money to buy iPads for her hospital soon snowballed and the scheme has provided so successful that Mrs Harris is now helping hospital wards across the county and has helped hundreds of patients stay in touch with their loved ones.

Devices have already been delivered to Lancaster's Orchard hospital - which treats patients with mental health issues and disabilities - and delivery is being arranged for more iPads to be delivered to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary next week.

The campaign has now been backed by Casualty star Amanda Mealing who plays consultant Connie Beauchamp in the hit BBC1 show after her friend’s dad died of the virus.

Mrs Harris added: “Nurses have been messaging me on Facebook all the time and I have been sending out iPads.

"We all have to get through this terrible time together and for the community to be coming together like this is great to see.”

Click here to support the campaign.