The charity set up by the Mail Group to drive a PPE campaign for frontline workers has launched a TV advert asking viewers to lend a hand in protecting those who care for them in times of need.

The advert comes in the wake of Mail Force donations exceeding £10million just two months after the charity’s first planeload of protective equipment was delivered to the coronavirus frontline.

Focusing on the public’s weekly round of applause for key workers, Mail Force’s campaign video was launched on Sky over the weekend asking viewers to give key workers ‘a real hand’ by financially supporting the supply drive.

Mail Force has seen 54,000 cheques posted by readers to help fund the distribution of over 100 tons of equipment to NHS staff and key workers, including flying in four million facemasks from China in a specially-chartered airliner. 

Recipients of protective equipment also include voluntary organisations such as the Salvation Army and Age UK which received some of the 700,000 pieces of essential kit delivered around the UK last week.

The Duchess of Cornwall and actor Emma Thompson are among the high-profile backers of the Mail’s campaign which has aimed to source PPE from the UK wherever possible. 

Sir Simon Stevens, chief executive of the NHS, thanked the Mail for the extraordinary sum of donations and said: “Although we are through the first wave of this outbreak, this virus will leave a lasting and long-term impact on millions of people, on their families and on our NHS, so it’s great to know that the Mail Force donors will be behind us as we continue to help the country get through this pandemic.”

MailForce has said that any money left over after the pandemic will be used to support the NHS and care workers.

The Mail Force advert will be running across Sky One (during Modern Family) and channels including Sports Main and Sky Sports News, CBS Drama, Pick, Paramount and Discovery throughout next week. 

For more information visit mailforcecharity.co.uk or text HAND10 to 70115 to donate £10.