Tennis legend Sir Andy Murray is leading sporting heroes in serving up a tribute to the NHS for its 75th birthday tomorrow.
In a film Team GB, ParalympicsGB and Special Olympics GB stars have expressed their gratitude for the NHS supporting them during their lives and careers.
Father-of-four Sir Andy, who plays at Wimbledon today, said: “To me the NHS is very important, they’ve always been there for my family when we’ve really needed them.
“Whether that’s been in the middle of the night when one of my children is ill and we need to see someone urgently, they’re always there. The staff have been incredible and are always so helpful.”
The two-time Wimbledon winner is joined in the film by double Paralympics champion Jonnie Peacock.
Jonnie had his right leg amputated below the knee as a child after contracting meningitis.
The T44 class 100m sprinter went on to secure gold at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games. He said: “I have been involved in the NHS because they literally saved my life at the age of five. The NHS means my life to me.”
The film also stars hockey star Sam Quek, Special Olympics athlete Mitch Camp, rugby’s Abi Burton and Paralympian Karé Adenegan.
It will be shown on the Piccadilly Lights billboard in Central London tomorrow as well as the NHS social media channels.
Meanwhile, the Royal College of Nursing’s general secretary Pat Cullen said the NHS was set up to provide equal care for all, from the poorest in society to royalty.
She added: “So that’s the greatness of our NHS institution. Nurses have protected for the last 75 years and will continue to do for the next 75 years.”
SAM QUECK
Hockey gold medallist
Former Olympic champion Sam said: “The NHS means to me so much, they have impacted my life and my friend’s and family’s life hugely.
“I’ve had two children, they’re now one and two and they helped me bring them into this world in a very healthy and successful way.”
MITCH CAMP
Long jump gold medallist
Mitch, who won gold for Team GB in the long jump and silver in the 100m at the Special Olympics World Games in LA in 2015, said: “I’ve been involved with the NHS from an early age having gone through many operations, but having those operations made me the person I am today.”
KARE ADENEGAN
Olympic sprint medallist
The paralympian who won multiple medals at Rio and Tokyo said: “I really appreciate the great work the NHS does to support premature babies and to also support the families that really struggle during such a scary time.
“The work they do is so important they’re literally saving lives day by day.”
ABI BURTON
Olympic rugby star
Abi was part of the Women’s Rugby Sevens side at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics but was diagnosed with a brain illness last year.
Abi, 23, said: “I spent three-and-a-half months in hospital. The NHS nurses and doctors and even just the people that bought my food, they were like my family.”
