James McAvoy has donated £275,000 to a crowdfunding campaign that aims to provide equipment for NHS staff who are battling the coronavirus pandemic.

The Guardian reports that the His Dark Materials star made the contribution to NHS medics after they launched a page earlier this week, because they feel they are “going to war without armour and protection”.

The doctors write in their appeal: “Unfortunately current hospital supplies are not sufficient and while we are reassured the government is doing everything it can, healthcare workers on the frontline are risking themselves daily without adequate protection to care for sick patients.”

McAvoy’s contribution means the campaign has now raised more than £500,000, far surpassing its initial target of £200,000.

In a video message posted to the Crowdfunder campaign, McAvoy explains the importance of protective gear and calls the situation “truly urgent”.

After extending its campaign to reach half a million pounds, the doctors have raised their new target in an equally short amount of time.

“We are overwhelmed and speechless at the trust and faith people have put into us to deliver this,” Salaj Masand, one of the medics behind the project, said.

“The number of very generous donations from everyone doubled our target within three days.”

“This is a global catastrophic event and an extremely tough time for governments across world, no different from ours. There is a worldwide shortage of PPE [that’s] likely to go on for months.”

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He pointed out that the NHS is having to compete with the commercial market, which is attempting to sell the same equipment for extortionate prices.