Bristol actor Joe Sims has become the first celebrity to endorse our NHS Heroes campaign - saying the NHS is "one of the things that makes me proudest of our country".
As the country fights the spread of covid-19, at Bristol Live , we’re proud to be part of the NHS Heroes campaign, which aims to make sure all the amazing people of this wonderful organisation know exactly how much they mean to the nation.
TV star Joe Sims - who has signed up to be an NHS volunteer, helping the service by taking people to hospital or picking up prescriptions, for example - said: "The NHS and healthcare provisions being free to all is one of the things that makes me proudest of our country.
"It provides us and our loved ones with security, safety and dignity and the heroes that provide it 24 hours a day, 365 days a year are to be revered and venerated.
"We are experiencing unprecedentedly turbulent times - not just as a nation but as a planet - and whilst there are certain people and companies showing their true colours for the grubby, selfish, nasty people they are, there are others, many more others, who light the way for a fairer, more caring, kinder, more equitable future.
"These individuals restore our faith in human kindness and so many of them work on the front line risking their lives every day to make us better."
He continued: "When the dust settles on the Coronavirus, and it will, it’s my fond hope we have all had time to reassess what is important in this world and remunerate and reward the true heroes that stepped up when we were at our most vulnerable.
"Coronavirus doesn’t discriminate and neither should we.
"Let’s be kinder, more civic minded, more community spirited and let’s take the time to show these incredible heroes of the NHS how truly grateful we are.
"Lots of love to you all
Joe Sims x"
Last week, we celebrated the dialysis unit at Southmead Hospital, who were described as amazing by a patient who goes there three times a week.
We want to reflect what life is like in Bristol hospitals right now and, from staff to patients, we would love to speak with you about your experience. What are the challenges and struggles for staff? Who are the unsung heroes going the extra mile we should be writing about? Get in touch with our reporter Estel - estel.farellroig@reachplc.com
