The bank, through its 300 Fund, will cover the cost of Rainbow Boxes for all COVID-19 patients entering hospital, providing all patients with toiletries, nightwear and phone chargers.

The Rainbow Box Foundation is a charity based on an initiative driven by frontline nurse Alison Williams who saw that many emergency COVID-19 patients were arriving in hospital with no overnight bags or means to communicate with their friends or families.

Initially, the public were being asked to donate items but following lockdown and Government advice to encourage the public to only make essential journeys, the Foundation asked for funds to help the NHS safely and hygienically source items from retailers directly and at cost.

Now RBS is donating £25,000 to assist and is working with Royal Bank customer Scotmid provide the necessary food, toiletries and other essentials.

The bank is also working with catering company Baxter Storey and Social Bite to produce 1500 free meals each day for frontline NHS staff working through the night on COVID-19 Red wards who do not have access to catering facilities.

The meals are being prepared at the bank’s Gogarburn Conference Centre which has been temporarily converted into a national foodbank distribution centre.

Malcolm Buchanan, chair, Scotland Board, RBS, said: “The tragedy that coronavirus creates is sadly all too clear but it is often the side effects which can feel as frightening as the condition itself.

“The Rainbow Box Foundation was born from the experience of those at the frontline helping those affected and as bank which has seen customers, colleagues, friends and family affected, we wanted to help.

“Our 300 Fund was created to help support projects making a difference to people living in Scotland. The Rainbow Box Foundation and the NHS Lothian COVID-19 Appeal reflect those values and are offering help and support at a time when the most vulnerable people in Scotland need it most.”

Jane Ferguson, director of the Edinburgh Lothian Health Foundation, added: “The support of the general public and local businesses to NHS Lothian’s COVID-19 response has been incredible to witness. Nurse Alison Williams and her friends have raised thousands of pounds to fund rainbow boxes for COVID-19 patients, supported by Royal Bank of Scotland who have donated an amazing £25,0000 to ensure that these boxes can be distributed for the next 20 weeks.

“As the official charity partner of NHS Lothian, Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation is working closely with staff to understand where the areas of greatest need are, so that we can respond flexibly to an ever-changing situation.

“Thanks to donations received to our Appeal so far, we have been able to supply mobile phones and tablets to wards across Edinburgh and the Lothians which allows patients to contact family and friends whilst visiting is suspended. We have also been supporting staff to get respite areas set up with recliner chairs, TVs, snacks and refreshments so that they have somewhere to go where they can rest, relax and get a bit of much-earned downtime.

“I am very proud of our dedicated team that are working tirelessly so we can source and provide everyday toiletry essentials to help patients feel as comfortable as possible when they need it most.”

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