Scant reward for NHS heroes
Fundraiser after staff saved daughter’s life
Throughout the pandemic, I like millions of others stood on my doorstep on a Thursday evening clapping our carers, key workers, and NHS staff.
They are the people that have given the most during these times of need, the ones that risked their own health to care for the sick.
Sadly many here in Kent died of Covid-19 as a result of carrying out their duties. We owe them far more than just gratitude, applause or a ‘well done’ badge. So I was shocked to hear that the government wants to give our NHS workers, the heroes of the pandemic, a meagre 1% pay rise. In real terms this is a pay cut! This is not how a caring society should thank those who have given the most and worked the hardest.
It is insulting, uncaring, and unjust.
The annual cost of doubling the pay rise for the UK’s 670,000 nurses from 1% to 2% comes to £174 million - less than the money wasted on unusable face masks
supplied by two companies (£204 million).
Do we think this is OK? I for one do not.
I urge your readers to speak up, contact their political representatives and express their disgust at this miserly government.
Clapping doesn’t pay bills and neither will a 1% pay rise. Alister Brady
A dad is cutting off his dreadlocks to raise money for the hospital which saved his daughter’s life after she developed a rare condition related to Covid-19. Molly Nana, from Tonbridge, tested positive for the virus in November and her condition started to deteriorate a few weeks later.
“I hadn’t seen Molly like that before,” said her mum Sarah Barry.
“She’s usually so chilled out, so it was very out of character for her to be demonstrating how poorly she felt.
“She looked grey, had a headache and a temperature.
“But then, she started shaking and vomiting so I took her to our local hospital.”
The family were told 11-yearold Molly could have meningitis or sepsis and, after several days, she continued to get worse and developed chest pain.
Doctors contacted specialists at Evelina London Children’s
Hospital for advice and the South Thames Retrieval Service (STRS) was sent to collect her. Mum-of-three Sarah, 42, said: “It was like ‘The A Team’ coming in, they were just unbelievable.
“They were so calm and weren’t phased by the situation at all. They got to work straight away and gave her medication. “I knew the situation was as serious as it could get but, when we arrived at Evelina London, everyone was so calm and we instantly felt safe.”
Molly was diagnosed with a new condition called Paediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (called PIMS-TS or PIMS for short), which can affect the blood vessels, in particular those around the heart.
It is extremely rare and can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs.
After three days in the paediatric intensive care unit, Molly was able to go home on New Year’s Eve.
Sarah said: “We are eternally grateful to Evelina London because they saved her life.” Molly’s dad, Simon, is now aiming to raise £5,000 for the hospital by cutting off his dreadlocks, which are nearly a metre long.
The 44-year-old said: “This is my way of saying ‘thank you’ to the amazing staff at Evelina London who saved Molly’s life.
“I’ve had dreadlocks for 15 years but, when Molly came up with the idea of cutting them off to give something back to the hospital, I couldn’t say no.” More than £3,000 has already been raised. To donate, go to www.tinyurl.com/KMdreads