A FORMER Middlesbrough player managed to jump to the rescue to help secure vital safety equipment for Teesside Hospice.

Ex Boro defender Ben Gibson answered an urgent plea from Teesside Hospice over fears nurses and medical staff may not have enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Mr Gibson, who is with Burnley FC but was back training with his former club before the season was put on hold, managed to secure enough PPE including 40 FFP3 face masks from Middlesbrough-based Mike Hind Fitness.

Debbie Coulson, Head of Fundraising at Teesside Hospice, told The Northern Echo: "We were trying to get hold of the right protective equipment for our staff.

"Ben Gibson is our ambassador and had highlighted that to Mike Hind.

"Mike then got in touch and donated them, we are really grateful and we want to say such a massive thank you to them. We are now receiving the training to be able to use this equipment safely."

Mr Hind, who managed to source the vital safety equipment from across the country, said: "These masks were selling for around £250 for five on eBay and we managed to get 500.

"They came from all over. John Hughes at HMH Civils in Stockton has donated some, they have been great."

Last month, The Northern Echo reported that hospice bosses were growing increasingly concerned on the impact coronavirus had on the running of the hospice.

Ms Coulson said: "Teesside Hospice is a front line service and we are doing everything we can to support the wider health care system during this difficult time.

"But with no fundraising or community events taking place, and all our shops closed, our fundraising income has dropped by 85 percent, so support from the local community is vital at this time."

Since then, a JustGiving page has raised more than £14,000 in a matter of days from members of the public supporting the hospice.

Ms Coulson said: "We've launched an emergency response appeal and have had over £14,000 in donations so far,  it's absolutely amazing and we are really grateful.

"Obviously people are facing financial hardship at the minute and are worried about what money is coming in.

"But even if they can't support in a monetary way, sharing our posts helps a lot."