Staff at the Mackay Base Hospital have been overwhelmed by a wave of gratitude from local kids.
Students at Victoria Park State School have sent messages of appreciation and support to the nursing staff for working on the frontlines of the global coronavirus pandemic.
Rural nurse manager, Kaylene Cheetham, said the messages of support were deeply appreciated.
"We don't expect a thank you or a lot at the end of the day," she said.
"When you do get the gratitude that has come in from the children and others, it does make your job even more special.
"It was really lovely to hear that from children, because for children, I guess as a hospital sometimes we can seem a bit scary."
Year 4 student, Preston, said they wanted to pass on their message of thanks for keeping the community safe and healthy.
"Thank you doctors and nurses for risking your lives and not even seeing your family for a while and helping people and telling people to stay home when they're sick," he said in his message to workers.
"Thank you for calming people that are stressed and don't know what to do."
The impact on families
Year 4 student, Isabella Dale, said the crisis has had an impact on her family.
"My mum's a nurse and she has to save people's lives and risk her life for our lives," Isabella said.
The project has inspired the young students to think about others in the community that might benefit from a heartfelt thanks.
"Scientists, they're trying make a medicine to get rid of this virus," Isabella said.
Gratitude reciprocated
The staff at the Mackay Base Hospital were so moved by the kindness of the students, the wanted to do something in return.
The students were sent a video of the staff reading and reacting to their letters and artwork.
"I liked hearing them read it and giving a response back to us," Isabella said.
"It made me feel proud," Year 4 student, Cooper Riley, said.
"It made me feel really good and like we've been really helpful," Preston said.
The Hospital is now considering how best to display the letters and artwork to recognise the students' efforts and inspire staff and patients.
