A £500k donation is being made to help frontline NHS workers by the Stourbridge-based owner of an online gaming firm.

Simon Wilson, CEO of Intouch Games, said the company is giving £500k to the to Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Russells Hall Hospital, to support staff fighting COVID-19.

The funds will be used for equipment to help staff in providing care to those affected by the virus.

The thriving online gaming firm, which is based at Fountain House, Halesowen, has also donated the services of 300 programmers who are providing the trust with programming services and tech development.

Simon was born and raised in Cradley Heath and built the now globally successful business with his wife Caroline from their home town of Stourbridge.

The company employs more than 400 people.

Simon, aged 49, said: “This current crisis is unprecedented - but it’s during these times that we really need to step in and support our National Health Service

“The staff of Russells Hall Hospital have been there for my family for generations.

“It’s our chance to be there for them; in any way we can, during this difficult time.”

Former Cradley CofE Primary school pupil Simon and Caroline live in Stourbridge with their two children.

They started the firm in 2001 from a small premises in the town as a manufacturer of Jukeboxes and slot machines supplying to the UK pub trade before developing a mobile phone casino app in 2007, which was a massive success.

Dame Yve Buckland, Chair of The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are delighted that Simon has made the decision to support The Dudley Group in this way.

“It is such a generous donation and we will ensure it is put to good use.”

Chief Executive of the Dudley Group NHS, Diane Wake, said: “This is a fantastic donation and we will engage our clinical teams in deciding what equipment they need the most to ensure the money is put to best use for staff and patients.

“We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our local communities and this is a great addition to the kind fundraising, well wishes and donations we have received.”

The company has two bases abroad - one in Romania with a team of 50 programmers and 50 programmers based in Taiwan.

It was listed as part of the Top 1,000 Companies to Inspire in 2015 by the London Stock Exchange.

As an online gaming company Intouch Games has won numerous industry awards including West Midlands Best Technology Company, E-Gaming Review award for Mobile Product of the Year and mGaming award for best Mobile Casino Operator.

It has more than five million players in the UK and has established itself as a dominant force within the eGaming industry.

The firm will present a cheque to the Dudley Group NHS Trust Charity to be used in the fight against COVID-19.