They are the unsung heroes of society who put the needs of others before their own. They are our Guardian Angels. 

And their amazing selflessness is becoming more apparent every single day as the country faces its biggest threat since the Second World War.

And that is why the Gazette has today launched a campaign, “Support Our Guardian Angels”, to celebrate and raise money for NHS staff on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis.With our sister newspaper the Andover Advertiser, the Gazette is aiming to raise £2,500 to give to the workers’ union Unison at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to support staff. 

It will be spent however the workers wish - on staff events to offer a bit of relief after the most testing of weeks or support to cover travel and expenses. 

We are today asking that you dig deep and help support the campaign by donating money to these incredible workers who form the backbone of our society, now more than ever.

To donate now, visit www.gofundme.com/f/support-our-guardian-angels.

Also in this week's paper:

  • Parks in Basingstoke lie empty as residents heed government advice.
  • "Callous thieves" allegedly target NHS staff cars at Basingstoke hospital
  • The microbiology team at Basingstoke North Hampshire Hospitals is the first district general hospital in the UK to have developed their own in-house technique for detecting Covid-19
  • A businessman from Basingstoke has been donating hundreds of food items across Basingstoke this week to help feed key workers and vulnerable members of the community.
  • A former anaesthetist at Basingstoke hospital attended the wedding of his “African daughter” in Sierra Leone last week who wouldn’t have been born without his help.
  • A widow has spoken about her experience stuck onboard a world cruise ship that has been left stranded over the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • A supported living service which put staff and other residents at risk has been told it needs to urgently improve after being placed into special measures.
  • Plus news from our districts, including Hook, Tadley and Whitchurch.
  • Two pages of business news
  • Three pages of entertainment news
  • Eight-page puzzle special
  • Five pages of sports news
  • And much more!