A gaming company has paid £100,000 to buy oxygen making equipment for Noble’s Hospital.

The hospital has to date been reliant on the importation of liquid oxygen for clinical use.

Because of unprecedented demand for oxygen at hospitals around the world during the Covid-19 pandemic, there was restricted availability of liquid oxygen in the UK.

This new equipment will ensure that Noble’s Hospital now has immediate access to oxygen piped directly from the plant on site into the wards, rather than being solely reliant on imported liquid oxygen.

The equipment has an expected useful lifespan of 10 to 15 years and will ensure the island has an independent supply of oxygen for clinical use at Noble’s Hospital for many years to come.

Kathryn Magson, interim chief executive officer of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), said: ’We are hugely grateful to local company King Gaming for their extremely generous donation and to the Manx Solidarity Fund for their assistance in securing this donation for the people of the Isle of Man.’

Mark Robson, chief executive officer of Manx firm King Gaming, said: ’At King we are proud to call the Isle of Man our home and we wanted to play our part by helping the community during the pandemic.

’We were impressed by the ethos of the Manx Solidarity Fund and their quick response in coming together in the face of adversity.

’We had a desire to contribute to a significant medical project that could benefit as many of the island’s residents as possible, so we were delighted to be able to provide the island with an independent and secure oxygen supply via this new equipment.’

Melanie Kermeen, marketing director at the Manx Solidarity Fund, who assisted with obtaining the donation, said: ’As volunteers who came together to run the fund, we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of both the Manx public and local companies in their generous support.

’During the four months since the charity was set up and registered, we have organised several successful fundraising campaigns, which members of the Manx public have really embraced and supported.

’Combined with the ongoing efforts, dedication and commitment of the fund volunteers, this has allowed us to pay out on a significant number of successful applications to date.

’The fund has helped numerous individuals through difficult times, as well as a variety of local businesses and charities that have struggled due to the impact of Covid.

’This significant donation of more than £100,000 from the team at King Gaming was specifically earmarked by them to fund medical equipment, for use by the island’s population.

’It is a wonderfully generous gift to Noble’s and we are pleased to have been able to assist in making this happen.’

The Manx Solidarity Fund says it anticipates there will be more island residents and businesses in need of support once government financial support schemes inevitably come to an end.

The fund continues to provide grants for those who have been financially impacted by Covid-19 and are struggling.

’It encourages those in need of support to visit its website, where applications can be made via the dedicated online application portal: manxsolidarityfund.com/apply

All applications are subject to a review process that is said to be confidential and discreet.

On occasion successful applications may be made known to the public only with the express permission of the applicant while the majority remain confidential.